A wedge of Cheese on a dark serving board.

From the Swiss Alps to St. Marys Ontario: Stonetown Artisan Cheese

From modest dairy farm to Ontario-wide producers of farmstead cheese, Hans and Jolanda have dedicated the past 40+ years growing their passion for the industry and fostering its succession.

An image of Stonetown Cheese's Farm.

Even when caring for as many as 250 Holstein cows, the Webers still know each animal's personality and cares for them accordingly! With bedding of beach sand and on demand back scratchers, they’ve got one happy herd on their hands.
 
Stonetown Artisan Cheese is delicious, high-quality cheese reminiscent of the renowned Swiss Alps and is produced right on the Weber’s farm. Raclette is a Swiss dish, made of a semi-hard cheese melted on a raclette machine, skillet or baking dish and served alongside other accompaniments (often boiled potatoes). Stonetown is one of the only Ontario makers with a product as close to the real deal as possible.

From the Swiss Alps to St. Marys Ontario, Hans and Jolanda Weber have let their passion lead them on the ever-evolving journey of running their very own farmstead cheese operation.

A man making cheese at Stonetown Cheese.

Since immigrating to Canada in 1996, the two have planted roots and built a life much like, yet so much bigger, than the ones they knew back home in Switzerland. Along with their three children, they worked on their farm - milking, feeding, and caring for their cows – happily contributing to the local pool each week for nearly 20 years before they launched Stonetown. With a growing urge to connect with their community and those in who support them, the family wanted to be able to bring a product right to their customers. With memories of their time in the Swiss Alps, they wanted to experiment with the art of cheese making from start to finish. Knowing they may not have the skills to produce the larger quantities they were looking for, the two decided to assemble a team to help bring their vision to life.
 
For the past seven years, the Weber family has one of the most successful farmstead operations in Ontario. From cow to table, each part of the process is handled with not only skill but passion. Not only does a lifetime in the industry bring success, but simple pleasures shared through generations. Hans Weber explains, “We know all our cows and how they act. We know which ones their parents and siblings are, and you get to really connect with them. Everyone in our family and each of our five part time workers even have their favourite cow, which is hard to say because every cow has a big personality.”

An image of Stonetown Artisan Cheese's Grand Trunk Cheese product.

With a herd of 250 Holsteins, Hans and Jolanda decided to pass the farming portion of their operations onto two of their children, allowing them to focus on their cheese business. With 15 per cent of their milk now going to production, Ramon Eberle stepped up to the plate. Coming from a long line of Swiss cheese makers, Eberle holds the title of Stonetowne’s Swiss Cheese Maker and produces some of their customers’ favourite cheeses, including signatures like Grand Trunk, a farmstead Gruyère, and Wildwood, an appenzeller-style cheese.
 
Stonetown boasts many more reasons for a summer roadtrip than just their delicious flagship cheeses. As one of the only Ontario makers of the closest thing to a true raclette style cheese, Stonetown has their Homecoming cheese available year-round. This cheese is droolworthy at any age but the best when eaten as early as possible - doesn’t that alone justify a trip to these St. Marys cheese experts?!
 
Hans, Jolanda, and store manager, Christine, welcome visitors from far and wide with open arms six days a week. Monday through Saturday is yours to enjoy a tasting, tour, or goodies for home with the help of Stonetown Artisan Cheese.

Couple from Stonetown Cheese petting one of their cows in their barn.

Purchase directly from Stonetown in store and online for pick up or home delivery or from retailers across Ontario.

 

Stonetown Artisan Cheese
5021 Perth Line 8
St. Marys, ON
 
Web: https://stonetowncheese.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/stonetowncheese/ 
FB: https://www.facebook.com/Stonetown-Cheese-1021578774540775/ 

Savour Ontario Kitchen
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Savour Ontario Kitchen

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