Meet the Maker: Godminster Cheddar
The latest independent producer to join Barbury Hill’s fleet of award-winning artisan cheeses, Godminster is a worthy addition to our delicious range. Hailing from the heart of Somerset, this organic cheese is a new favourite at Barbury Hill HQ, and a firm fixture on our ‘perfect cheeseboard’. Read on to discover just what drew us to Godminster and why we’re delighted to feature their award-winning organic cheddars on Barbury Hill.
Bucolic and organic
A trailblazer when it comes to organic farming, Godminster Farm was registered as organic in 1999. Godminster’s cheese is crafted from the milk of 320 organic dairy cows on the rolling hills that surround Bruton in Somerset. ‘The Godminster Girls’, as they’re fondly named, are a herd of mainly Friesian but also Normande and Short Horn cows.
Free-roaming on the lush green grasses of the farm’s fields makes up the bulk of their summer diet, while in the winter they’re fed a diet of feed that’s specially grown on the farm, minimising airmiles and the use of environmentally harmful feed such as soy. This healthy diet of oats, barley, peas and grasses, is supplemented with herbs available along the tracks as they wander to and from the dairy.
Antibiotic, pesticide and chemical fertiliser-free
These happy cows are also free of antibiotics and are never exposed to chemical fertilisers or pesticides. Not only is this better for the cows, with pesticides impacting their immunity and affecting their milk production, it’s also reassuring as a consumer to know that the cheese is free from unnatural nasties.
Bountiful orchards full of fruits and herbs attract insects that allow the 1,300 acres of land to be farmed organically, proving Godminster’s motto that “Nature repays those who treat her kindly”.
Carbon Negative
As of 2022, Godminster can also boast of being carbon negative. An incredible achievement, while many other producers are still striving for carbon neutrality, this means that they are actively locking away more CO2 than they produce. Their recent report revealed they were taking 875 tonnes of carbon from the air per year.
But of course, they’re not sitting back in smug satisfaction; they’re looking at other improvements they can make to improve both their immediate landscapes and the wider environment for future generations.
But what about the cheese?
But of course, while planet-friendly practices and organic farming are a key reason we’re so happy to feature Godminster on Barbury Hill, we can’t talk about the happy cows without mentioning the exceptionally delicious cheddars they produce.
Their Vintage Organic Cheddar provides the foundation for their range, and is the centrepiece of each Barbury Hill selection. Made to a traditional 90 year old recipe and aged for up to 12 months, Godminster’s Vintage Organic is a smooth, creamy cheddar with a classic crunch of calcium lactate crystals throughout. With a tremendous depth of flavour that demonstrates the power of organic farming and grass-fed cows, this cheddar can hold its own when paired with chutneys and a glass of English Wine.
Looking for something out of the ordinary?
Building on the classic flavours of the Vintage Organic Cheddar, Godminster’s Black Truffle Vintage Organic Cheddar, Oak-Smoked Vintage Organic Cheddar and Daredevil Chilli Vintage Organic Cheddar add a dash of je ne sais quoi to the humble cheeseboard.
With its decadent addition of European black truffles, the Black Truffle Vintage Organic Cheddar is one for a special occasion (or really, any occasion!) and elevates a simple supper to new heights. The Oak-Smoked Vintage Organic Cheddar is made to the same 90-year-old recipe as the Vintage Organic Cheddar but after maturing it is cold-smoked over sustainably-sourced oak chippings for up to 10 hours to impart a winning depth of flavour and melt-in-the-mouth smooth texture.
Award-winning cheese
You don’t have to take our word for it though; Godminster’s cheddars have judges united in praise. From the Vintage Organic Cheddar which was named the Nation’s Favourite Organic Product at the BOOM Awards, 2019, to the Black Truffle Vintage Organic Cheddar, winner of Gold at the International Cheese Awards and Gold at the 2021 Virtual Cheese Awards. Add to that a treasure trove of Golds from the Global Cheese Awards and many stars from Great Taste Awards over the years, and it’s safe to say that Godminster has a trophy cabinet to be proud of.
A centrepiece of the perfect cheeseboard?
While we like to mix up and play around with the types and styles of cheese on our cheeseboard, the one we’d never be without is a classic Cheddar. And Godminster’s Vintage Organic Cheddar is one we return to time and again. Have you tried their cheddar? And do you have a favourite from the range featured on Barbury Hill?
We hope you’ve enjoyed this ‘Meet the Maker’ featuring Godminster, and if it’s whetted your appetite to sample their cheddar for yourself, head to our Artisan Cheese category or Meet the Maker: Godminster to see the full range.
SHOP ARTISAN CHEESE
by Tor Saner, Product & Marketing
Tor ensures our platform and product selection is as good as it can be and is always on the lookout for delicious hidden gems. Tor has eaten her way around the globe and loves nothing more than a glass of chilled Rosé in the sunshine with friends.