La Tchavana Farm

'La Tchavana de Metsan' farm is a livestock farm that raises dairy cows and dairy sheep, which feed almost exclusively on pasture grass. It is located at the Alpe Metsan, in the municipality of Ayas at an altitude of 2000 metres, where nature reigns in days of peace and quiet. 

Products
Fontina DOP, fresh dairy products (ricotta, tomini, pasteurised milk), sheep's milk cheeses including Gran Gessato d'Ayas, sheep robiola, Bonbleu and Neige de Brebis.
The point of sale is open every day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The visit
The farm can be visited from 15th June to 15th September by prior reservation via Whatsapp at +39 347 7347523 (Luca Toja) a few days in advance.
You can visit the cowshed and milking area, the cheese dairy and the cheese maturing cellar. The owners will tell you about life in the mountain pastures and the history of the Bagnod family.
It is possible to visit the mountain pasture at the Alpe Metsan, which can be reached on foot from the hamlet of Mandrou (30 minutes, uphill path) or from the hamlet of Barmasc (1h15 along the Ru Courtod, flat path) - Accessible by car only by disabled people or people with mobility difficulties (via the dirt road located 500 metres before the hamlet of Mandrou).

Tasting sessions are available:
30-minute visit: 10 €
45-minute visit with tasting of 4 kinds of cheese: 20 €

Spoken languages: Italian and English.

How to get there
The farm can be easily reached on foot either from the hamlet of Barmasc, along the beautiful and easy Ru Courtaud walk, which can also be done by mountain bike or on horseback, or by climbing up from the hamlet of Mandrou on the path that offers a beautiful view of the Monte Rosa.