A guide to cheese farms in Franken.

Cheese Farms in Franken

Hofkäserei Zehner ★ 4.0

Oberschwarzach, SteigerwaldThursday 16:30 to 19:00, Friday 14:00 to 18:00DairyWalk in

Family dairy in Oberschwarzach, at the edge of the Steigerwald, making cheese since 2019 from its own pasteurised cow milk, including a 'Winzer' cheese with a Franconian spice mix.

Cheeses: Schnittkäse in 15 flavours (natural, fenugreek, chili-paprika, garlic-basil, black cumin and others, some seasonal), Halbfester Schnittkäse (Natur, Italiener, Franzose and Winzer, the last seasoned with what its price list calls a typically Franconian spice mix), Rustikaler Schlosskäse, a hard cheese aged up to 12 months, Camembert, which its site names as a base for Gerupfter or Obazter, Hirtenkäse (brined cheese), Quark, Ziebeleskäs and other fresh cheese

Visiting: Farm shop Thursday 16:30 to 19:00 and Friday 14:00 to 18:00, Cheeses to taste in the shop, Cheese platters and gift baskets made up on request

Der Berghof ★ 4.0

Schöllkrippen, KahlgrundThursday and Friday 10:00 to 18:00, Saturday 9:00 to 13:00FarmWalk in

Organic goat farm at the edge of Schöllkrippen with its own cheese dairy; the shop also sells cheese from small cow dairies and Franconian wine from Weingut Höfler in Michelbach.

Cheeses: Fresh goat cheese, plain in pots and in flavoured versions, Hörnli, a goat Camembert, and Spessart-Diamant, an ash-coated soft cheese the farm lists with a first prize at the Bayerische Käseschätze 2022, Geisshirte, a red-smear soft cheese, and Ziegareta, a feta-style goat cheese, Semi-hard goat cheeses such as Meckerfritze, Berghof-Laib, the beech-smoked Rauchcarré and Kernbeisser with walnuts, pumpkin seeds and fenugreek, Donnerkeil, a goat hard cheese aged 12 months, and Donnerlittchen, which the farm lists with a first place at the Bayerische Käseschätze 2022

Visiting: Farm shop Thursday and Friday 10:00 to 18:00, Saturday 9:00 to 13:00, Goat cheese to taste at the counter, A look into the barn or the farm garden when time allows, Cheese-making course on set dates or for groups on request

Hechelhof ★ 3.9

Hechelbach, ObernzennSaturday 9:00 to 11:00 at the farmFarmWalk in

Farm in Hechelbach, Obernzenn, making cheese from its own GMO-free milk in converted cellar rooms and ripening it in an 18th-century vaulted cellar; Saturday shop plus dated sales in Uttenreuth.

Cheeses: Grillkäse (grilling cheese), Other hand-made cheeses from the farm's own GMO-free milk

Visiting: Farm shop Saturday 9:00 to 11:00, Cheese sales in Uttenreuth (Maria-Gebbert-Straße 18), 14:00 to 17:00, on Friday 6 November and Tuesday 22 December 2026; the September and October sales were held; none in January, Cheese platters and gifts made to order

Schmalzmühle (Familie König) ★ 4.1

Röckingen, HesselbergWednesday and Friday 8:30 to 17:00, Saturday 8:30 to 14:00FarmWalk in

Family farm in Röckingen, at the foot of the Hesselberg, making cheese from the milk of its 16 cows; the shop also sells Frankenwein from Weingut Behringer in Abtswind.

Cheeses: Schmalzmüller Hochwasserpegel, hard cheese with a black pepper rind, Schmalzmüller Bauernrebell, soft cheese in oil with garlic and chives, Schmalzmüller Mühlenrad, semi-hard cheese with herbs, Schmalzmüller Frischling, soft cheese with herbs

Visiting: Farm shop Wednesday and Friday 8:30 to 17:00, Saturday 8:30 to 14:00, Cheese seminar and cheese-making courses for groups, A look into the creamery or the barn at the end of the cheese-making course

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Cheese Farms in Franken, FAQ

What is Gerupfter in Franconia?

German Wikipedia says that in Franken the Obazda preparation is called Gerupfter or angemachter Camembert (also Angemachter), and in and around Bamberg sometimes Liptauer.

Is Obazda a protected name?

Yes. Obazda and Obatzter are a protected geographical indication in the EU eAmbrosia register (file PGI-DE-1069), registered on 26 June 2015. All processing of the ingredients must happen in Bavaria, though the raw materials may come from elsewhere.

What goes into it?

The EU specification requires Camembert and/or Brie (at least 40 percent of the product; Romadur, Limburger or fresh cheese may be added, at least 50 percent cheese in all), butter, paprika powder or extract and salt. Onion, caraway, other spices and herbs, cream, milk and beer are optional.

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