Back in the early ‘90s, with a healthy herd and lots of beautiful cow’s milk, the Yarra Valley Dairy’s owner and founder Mary Mooney, experimented with cheesemaking, creating various soft cheeses in her farm kitchen. Engaging the knowledge and skills of a cheesemaker friend, they set about creating further styles, similar to the cheeses found at the dairy farm gates of regional Italy and France.
The creation process of our iconic Persian Fetta in 1994 was a labour of love, characterised by meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to quality. Utilising traditional cheesemaking methods, coupled with innovative experimentation, creamy fetta was marinated in fresh and vibrant olive oil infused with garlic and black peppercorns and the signature aromatic herbs, bay leaves and fresh thyme.
Upon its introduction to the culinary scene, Persian Fetta quickly captured the imaginations of chefs and food enthusiasts alike, earning numerous awards and accolades for its unique flavour profile and versatility beyond the cheeseboard. Its creamy texture, punctuated by bursts of warm garlic and herbal notes, added a surprising and welcome dimension to salads, pastas, and share platters, earning its cherished place on restaurant menus and in home kitchens across Australia and beyond.
Persian Fetta is widely emulated today with many producers creating variations of this outstanding cheese style, pioneered by us right here at Yarra Valley Dairy. The result of creative, visionary efforts, our beautiful iconic Persian Fetta, turning 30 this year, remains the original, and the best.
Come and taste a part of Australian cheesemaking history, and our outstanding Persian Fetta, at our beautiful Cheese Shop on site at Yarra Valley Dairy. Enjoy a cheese tasting with one of our knowledgeable staff or take a seat and gaze out at the stunning Yarra Valley. Choose from our cheese-filled menu ranging from classic cheese platters with all the accompaniments, to oozy melted cheese hotpots, toasted bagels with fresh herb filled cow’s milk cheese or, not for the faint-hearted, our four-cheese toastie! All over a glass of local wine or a superb coffee.
Still owned by Mary Mooney and family and situated right here on the farm in the original milking shed – it doesn’t get more authentic than Yarra Valley Dairy.
Yarra Valley Dairy, 70 McMeikans Rd, Yering (off St Hubert’s Rd)
Open every day from 10.30am-5pm (except Christmas & Boxing Day)
PH: 97391222 www.yvd.com.au or @yarravalleydairy
