Nestled in the cool moist climate of Vancouver Island in the shadow of Mt. Arrowsmith, Little Qualicum Cheeseworks, together with MooBerry Winery on Morningstar Farm, produce a selection of hand-crafted cheeses to delight the senses. Using the highest quality milk from our own herd of Holstein, Brown Swiss and Canadienne dairy cows, we have an artisan cheese to suit any occasion, meal, or just a light fresh snack.

So, come visit us at the farm! Watch the cheese makers in action and learn a bit about how we make cheese. Take a self-guided tour of the farm and enjoy a stroll along the walking trails. Stop by the Farmgate Store for samples of all our cheeses and stay for a picnic. And you just can’t leave without visiting all the animals: cows, calves, sheep, goats, pigs, horses, bunnies and April & Andrew (the donkeys)!

History

In January 1999, Clarke and Nancy Gourlay with their 3 boys returned from Switzerland where they had been living for several years. Inspired by the magnificent Swiss cheeses, they set out to learn and practice the ancient and noble art of cheese making. The cool moist climate in the shadow of Vancouver Island’s Mt. Arrowsmith proved to be ideal for the ripening of washed-rind cheeses, and Little Qualicum Cheeseworks found a home. We began milking cows and making cheese in 2001. Three years later we moved to beautiful Morningstar Farm and have opened our farm and animals to the public.

Today we are milking a small mixed herd of Holstein, Ayrshire, Brown Swiss, and Canadienne dairy cows. Based on the European model, we use only the best quality milk for cheese making. 100% of our cheese is made from our own milk, right here on the farm. And ask our cows if they are happy. We were the first dairy farm in British Columbia to be certified by the SPCA.

When you’re in the area, stop by for a VISIT!!