Dairy farms: Champoluc/Ayas/Antagnod, Brusson, Challand-Saint-Anselme, Challand-Saint-Victor

This dairy farm was founded in 2004 with the aim of streamlining the production and transformation of the milk of the Valley according to the methods of ancient cooperative dairies, where different farmers used to work together alternating in shifts. The Fromagerie Haut Val d’Ayas brings together 65 local farmers who contribute with their own milk and processes almost two million litres of milk a year, obtaining about 18,000 types of Fontina cheese. Areas and museums depicting scenes of rural life lie at the heart of the cooperative and panels are displayed inside which illustrate the journey of the milk, from the milking process to transformation into cheese; you can also watch the Fontina cheese being made first hand.

Products
Fresh and matured dairy products, honey, wine, juices, spirits, medicinal herbs, local vegetable products (in summer-autumn), frozen yoghurt, products baked with yoghurt and butter from the Fromagerie.
The shop is open all year round from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 3:00 p.m. (2:30 p.m. on public holidays) to 7:30 p.m.

Visit
The company can be visited all year round upon reservation to be made by e-mail or telephone at least 3 days in advance (Contact: Egle Dondeynaz or Franca Compagno).
You can visit the cheese aging cellar and, upon request, the cattle stables of the cooperative members located close to the dairy. It is also possible to observe the milk being processed from a window inside the shop.
Tastings and a buffet can be organized upon booking at a pre-agreed price.
Number of visitors per visit: min 10 / max 50.
Languages spoken: Italian, French and English.

How to get there
From Verrès, follow the regional road 45 in the direction of Ayas until you reach the built-up area of Brusson (about 16 km); the dairy has an adjacent yard and is on the right if arriving from Verrès.

This small family-run business started off as a simple self-consumption project but reinvented itself in 2003, expanding into the marketing and sale of its excess products, adhering to the concepts of the short chain and zero-km production.

The products
Fresh and ripened cheeses, jams, fruit and vegetables, eggs and meat.
All the products are available seasonally at the company’s shop: to find out its opening hours, please contact the owners.

The visit
The stables, vegetable gardens, wine cellars and production premises are open throughout the year depending on the season and by reservation, which can be made by email or telephone at least one day in advance.
Number of visitors required for the visit: min. 1 - max 12 people.
Languages spoken: Italian, English, French and German.

How to get there
Coming up from the bottom of the valley, driving along the SR 45, turn left at the entrance of the Brusson municipality when you reach the village Arcesaz.

'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.