Cheesemaker's day: cheese workshop and lunch in Baceno

Together we will discover an ancient craft, that of the dairyman.

We willvisit the dairy, witnessing the processing of milk. We will participate in a cheese workshop, creating our first cheese wheel. We will meet the animals in the cowshed, which we will accompany out to pasture. There will also be a lunch-tasting, based on home-grown and local products.

A day for the whole family in the beautiful natural setting of the Antigorio Valley, at the end of which we will return home with our first wheel of cheese!

What we will do

We’ll meet at the selected time at the meeting point in Baceno (VB). We’ll be greeted by the guide-cheesemaker, who’ll welcome us to his fragrant (and delicious) dairy!

Once all participants have gathered, there will be an introduction to the day we’ll be spending together. We’ll then be given the equipment needed for the activity.

The experience will begin with a guided tour of the dairy: as we walk through the production rooms, we’ll learn more about milk processing and watch the curd being prepared, which we’ll later see break down and begin its transformation into cheese. We’ll then take part in the cheese-making workshop, where we’ll have the chance to make our own ‘primo sale’ cheese (which, of course, we’ll take home with us) !

And now it’s time for the tasting lunch ( included) , served in a dedicated room at the dairy: we’ll sample the dairy’s own cheeses and local cured meats, accompanied by Ossola black bread.

Filled with energy (and more besides) , we’ll each board our own transport to reach the venue for the second part of the experience in just a few minutes. Here, we’ll take part in a guided tour of the barn, getting to know the goats and kids that live there; for those who’d like to, there’ll even be a chance to have a go at milking! We’ll then experience life on the pasture, watching the preparation of the enclosure and interacting with the animals in the stunning natural setting of the Antigorio Valley.

Finally, we’ll return to the dairy to collect the cheese we’ve made and receive our ‘cheesemaker’s certificate’ (available on request) . The experience will end at 4. 00 pm and will last a total of 5½ hours.

Who it is aimed at

The experience is suitable for everyone without age limits; children under 18 must be accompanied by a participating adult. Children from 0 to 5 years old participate free of charge, but it is necessary to indicate their presence by contacting the guide at the contact details indicated in the booking confirmation e-mail.

The activity is suitable for persons with disabilities, accompanied by a responsible person. The facility is wheelchair-accessible but it is necessary to contact the guide in advance at the contact details given in the booking confirmation e-mail to indicate presence.

Other information

The experience takes place from March to October, generally 2 Sundays per month on the dates indicated in the calendar (to be updated).

There is free parking on site. The meeting point can be reached by public transport; please note that the activity includes transfers by own vehicle.

The lunch-tasting includes, according to availability: fresh and mature cow's cheese, spress (a mixture of goat's and cow's milk), freshly made ricotta and Ossola goat's cheese; pork cacciatore, Ossola mortadella, local salami, lonzino and goat cacciatore. If you have food allergies and/or intolerances , please contact the guide at the contact details given in your booking confirmation e-mail to inform them.

Dogs are not allowed at the activity.

Recommended clothing

• Seasonally appropriate sportswear
• Trainers or Rain Boots