Learn From a Local Friendly Cheesemaker
Located in the ‘Gran Sasso and Monti Della Laga’ National Park
Meet the Sheep, Goats, & Cows of the Farm
Immerse Yourself in the Ancient Italian Shepherd’s Art of Cheesemaking
Italy is well known for its cheese and rightfully so, as not only has cheesemaking been a craft here for a couple thousand years, but we also boast a great variety of some of the highest quality cheeses in the world. Pecorino, one of the oldest recorded varieties of cheese, dates back 2,000 years to the Roman countryside. You may not be aware that there are different types of Pecorino and it actually refers to a category of cheeses made from sheep’s milk – in fact, pecora is the Italian word for sheep!
So why not seize the opportunity to learn this tasty artisanal craft in the place where it all started? A family-owned farm in the Italian countryside! Join us as we get hands-on experience of the cheesemaking process, enjoy cheese tasting, and tour the farm with our local Abruzzesi cheesemaker and farmer, Giuseppe.
Highlights
Meet a professional and friendly cheesemaker and learn about the Italian cheesemaking process first hand
Taste the cheese you make, the best fresh organic ricotta cheese in Abruzzo and other home-made delicatessens
Marvel at the lush green landscape of the ‘Gran Sasso and Monti Della Laga’ National Park
Enjoy the perfect spot for visiting the whole region which includes mountains, rivers, waterfalls, canyons, historic hidden medieval towns, vineyards, and olive groves - only 20 mins from the beach!
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Tour Details
The Details
Price
on request
Meeting time
10:00 AM
Meeting point
Campli
*Exact location will be arranged upon booking
Availability
Tuesdays & Fridays
Duration
About 3 hours
Group size
2 person minimum, 10 people maximum
Included
Cheese and local tastings (seasonal food available at farm)
Not included
Transportation to and from the meeting point is not included, but available upon request for an additional fee.
What to bring
Comfortable clothing and shoes
About your guides
- Local cheesemaker, Giuseppe and/or family member
- Experience BellaVita’s guide
The Experience
Our cheesemaking tour begins with a short panoramic drive through the Abruzzo countryside to arrive at Giuseppes’ farm. Don’t worry, we are in good hands – Giuseppes’ family has been breeding animals and making cheese on their small farm in the Abruzzo Apennines near Teramo for more than 3 generations. We will meet Giuseppe and his family and then get started with the cheesemaking process! This involves the cutting of the curd, molding, and making the famous pecorino or caciotta cheese shapes.
After Giuseppe walks us through the cheesemaking process, it’s time for a tasting! A selection of cheeses will be accompanied by snacks such as extra virgin olive oil, homemade cured meats and cold cuts, wine and other beverage options.
While we wait for the ricotta to arrive at the proper temperature, we’ll tour the farm and meet the animals! Giuseppe’s farm is home to sheep, goats, cows, calves and pastori Abruzzesi – the all-white sheepdog indigenous to the Abruzzo region. Enjoy the backdrop of the Gran Sasso & Monti Della Laga National Park as we stroll through the farm.
Once the ricotta has arrived to temperature, we’ll teach you how to take it out and taste the best fresh organic ricotta cheese in all of Abruzzo before heading back to our meeting point.
Good to Know
Milk availability determines which kind of cheese will be prepared each day. The option are: Pecorino (sheep milk), Caciotta (cow milk) & Caciotta Mista (cow, sheep and/or goat milk) or Caprino (goat milk)
Note: The details included here are for our scheduled tours. If you’d like to plan a tour for a different date/time/duration/group size or customize your experience in any way, we will do our best to accommodate you! Check out our custom tour option or contact us to plan your tour.
