The must-visits
Jasper Hill Farm in Greensboro — the cellars alone are worth a tour ($20, book ahead), and Bayley Hazen Blue and Harbison are world-class. Cabot Creamery in Cabot has a free-samples visitor center that’s genuinely fun. Shelburne Farms cheddar-making at Shelburne is more theatrical but educational. Grafton Village Cheese in Grafton lets you watch through a window and buy right there — the classic 2-year cheddar is $22/lb and worth it.
The smaller producers worth the detour
Consider Bardwell in West Pawlet for goat cheeses. Vermont Shepherd in Putney for sheep cheese (open August-November only). Blythedale Farm in Corinth for creamy alpine styles. Plymouth Artisan Cheese at President Coolidge’s homestead in Plymouth Notch — the same recipe as Coolidge’s father used, and the visit combines cheese with US history. Skip cheese-focused 'cheese trails' organized by tourism boards — most stops are gift shops, not working dairies.
Good to know
Common questions
Best all-in-one cheese day?
Cabot Creamery → Cellars at Jasper Hill → dinner in Hardwick. Full day, hits both mainstream and craft ends.
Can I ship cheese home?
Yes — most producers ship year-round with ice packs. Grafton and Cabot do it flawlessly. Jasper Hill ships selectively.
Every booking through Vermont Destinations funds one verified tonne of carbon removal — same room, same price, no markup.
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