That’ll do Pig…that’ll do…Farm Tour #4
Two words jump to mind when I think of the Kootenay Alpine Cheese Company…Happy. Cows.
Ask anyone who has visited the farm located above the Creston Valley and they’ll tell you the same thing. Happy cows and responsible agriculture result in some of the sweetest, most complex artisan cheeses you’ll find anywhere in the West.
Wayne & Denise Harris pride themselves on the sustainability of their farm and rightfully so. They use no GMOs, pesticides or chemical fertilizers on their land, the health of their herd is maintained with organic practices and the fresh milk travels via gravity fed pipes to the cheesemaking facilites to limit the carbon impact of ground transport. While they are serious about their farming practices that solemness is nowhere evident in their demeanors. Within a few moments of meeting the Harris family you know they love what they do and I’m pretty sure the cows love them back.
The farm produces three distinct varieties of cheese modeled after traditional French and Italian cheesemaking techniques; Mountain Grana, Nostrala and Alpindon. The Nostrala is an all time personal favourite of mine.
And what about the piglets you ask? The Harris’ have recently made the decision to start raising pigs. I know…they are adorable and when I was very generously offered a couple pork-chops to take home after the shoot I had a brief moment of hesitation, very brief mind you. I then went home, fired up the bbq and proceeded to have what might be the best port-chop of my life.
Kootenay Alpine Cheese Company
www.kootenayalpinecheese.com
Lister, BC
