Foodies Australia is passionate about connecting Australians with the finest local producers, and Udder Delights embodies this purpose with their dedication to quality and community. Nestled in the beautiful Adelaide Hills, Udder Delights has grown from a small family venture into one of Australia’s leading artisan cheese makers. Explore their story and see how they bring exceptional flavours to tables across the nation, one handcrafted cheese at a time.
From Blue Cheese to Brie, Chevre to Camembert, Udder Delights is driven by a passion for making, sharing, and savouring cheese. Each handmade artisan product is crafted at the cheese factory in Lobethal, located in the scenic Adelaide Hills. Partnering with South Australian dairies, Udder Delights values strong relationships with local producers to create quality cheese. Visitors are welcome at the new home of Udder Delights Cheese Cellar at Grunthal Brew in Verdun, an ultimate destination for those seeking craft beer, gin, cheese, wine, and good times.
Deep in the heart of the Adelaide Hills, in the historic township of Lobethal, is where the magic of Udder Delights happens. The charming cheese factory operates within the historic walls of the Onkaparinga Woollen Mill, a structure that has stood since 1872. Once a manufacturing hub for fine textiles, this building now serves as both a centre of employment for the local community and the birthplace of Udder Delights’ artisan cheeses.
Udder Delights is not just about cheese; it’s about people. The growing team is a spirited mix of cheesemakers, wrappers, warehouse staff, and a management team focused on crafting exceptional Australian cheeses and making them accessible to as many Australians as possible. The journey of Udder Delights began in 1995, fuelled by the vision of founders Trevor and Estelle Dunford, who started with a modest raspberry and fig farm. The first cheeses were made from goat’s milk by a pair of goats, Nora and Nell, originally brought to help with farm maintenance. Trevor, a builder by trade, built the first factory himself, while Estelle’s adventurous spirit laid the foundation for what would become one of Australia’s leading cheese brands.
In 2004, Sheree Dunford married Saul Sullivan, and together they took on the family business, expanding to include cow’s milk cheeses. The sacrifices and hard work invested in Udder Delights gradually began to yield rewards, transforming a small cheese-making room into a thriving business supporting a large team and their families. Their commitment to connecting with customers led Sheree and Saul to open the Udder Delights Cheese Cellar in 2006, soon earning Hall of Fame recognition for ‘Excellence in Food Tourism’ after multiple award wins. In 2022, the Cheese Cellar found a new home at Grunthal Brew, a lively tourism spot that celebrates all things cheese, beer, wine, and gin.
Over the years, Saul has continued to refine his cheese-making craft, even becoming the first in Australia to produce and sell the nation’s first raw milk blue cheese, the acclaimed King Saul Raw Blue. Though Udder Delights has faced both triumphs and trials, including the loss of Estelle in 2011, her legacy lives on through the brand’s enduring values of hard work, resilience, and community.
Trevor retired in 2017, leaving Saul and Sheree at the helm, where they continue to lead Udder Delights into a bright future. The success of the business is a testament to the dedication and passion that have fuelled it from the beginning. Today, Udder Delights cheeses are enjoyed across Australia, sharing a taste of the Adelaide Hills with each bite.
