Dorston Goats

Description

Dorstone is celebrated as one of Britain’s most exceptional goats’ milk cheeses. Produced by Charlie Westhead in Dorstone, Herefordshire, this cheese is available at The Courtyard Dairy at just three weeks old. At this early stage, Dorstone boasts a mousse-like texture, a refreshing lemony taste, and a subtle goat flavour, making it a delicacy among cheese enthusiasts.

Charlie Westhead, renowned as one of the UK’s premier cheesemakers, sources the goat’s milk daily from Gloucestershire. Dorstone, along with Ragstone, is crafted following traditional French recipes. The process includes pre-draining the long-set curd to achieve its signature light, fluffy texture, and lightly ashing the surface to form its characteristic dark grey rind. At The Courtyard Dairy, Dorstone is carefully dried and aged for three weeks to maintain its fresh and light profile.

The cheese is named after the ancient Neolithic settlement at Dorstone Hill. Charlie’s journey in cheesemaking began over two decades ago in Central London, moving through Sevenoaks, and finally settling in Herefordshire where he established a new, environmentally friendly creamery. This modern facility is powered by renewable energy sources like solar panels, wind turbines, and wood burners, and features a sustainable wetland system for wastewater management.

An intriguing global connection to Dorstone exists in Uganda, where Charlie’s son, Conan, has taught local communities to produce Dorstone and Ragstone cheeses to support a children’s disability foundation, demonstrating the global influence and philanthropic reach of their cheesemaking skills.