Main Ridge Cilia

I'm always on the lookout for new Australian cheeses but in the case of Main Ridge Dairy I've found a cheese-maker that's new to me. Located in the Mornington Peninsula it is home to a herd of 300 white Saanen and brown Toggenburg goats. The milk from this dairy has also been used in neighbouring Red Hill Cheese.

The first cheese I'm tasting is Cilia




Cilia is a Camembert-style goat cheese and to the touch, you get the feel that this is a cheese that has a gooey potential. Unfortunately a much more pungent suprise awaits you unwrap it.



This is a cheese that will confront - the most delicate way to describe the aroma is the term "barnyard". This does not have mushroom aromas has stated on the packaging, it is much more intense and much less appealing. As much as I love the pungent aroma of washed rind cheese, this is something totally different.



To look at, it is a beautiful cheese and it has those lovely gooey qualities that I love but the smell is really hard to deal with.



Taking these close-ups was especially trying, even more off-putting was tasting it. As Paalo held a piece in his fingers, he looked at me and said "this is really hard" but taste he did. Unfortunately some of those barnyard aromas have flowed through into the cheese. It's not particularly pleasant, a bit bitter and a bit salty. It is a shame because it does look to be a lovely cheese - I don't know if this is an outliner and I've bought one that isn't right or if this is how they want it to taste.


**Addendum 8th October**

I've received an email from the cheesemaker Damien that explains the situation in regards to the state of this cheese:

We recently had a batch of Cilia that ripened at an alarming rate due to a maturing room meltdown. That batch was put on hold and was rejected by myself. Unfortunately before I could discard the batch, staff filled some orders from that batch and of all people to be affected by this stuff up, you unfortunately were one! That batch of Cilia was nothing like our normal Cilia which is usually rather mild. 

The details:

Main Ridge Dairy
295 Main Creek Road
Main Ridge

Phone: 03 5989 6622

Open for tastings, sales and platters Friday to Monday and public holidays from 11 - 4. Dairy tours are run most Saturdays at 3.30, with additional tours run during school holidays. Bookings are essential. Additional tours can be arranged for groups of 10. Tour costs are adult $6 and child over 3 years $3.

www.mainridgedairy.com.au