Boston's Best Farms To Sample Artisan Cheese

Appleton Farms, Ipswich
Appleton Farms is the oldest and perhaps the largest working farm in Massachusetts. Established in 1638, the farm began its cheese production in 2012. Just stop by any day of the week to see them in full swing. Make sure to try some of their Pinnacle Cheese; a French- style tomme with a natural rind, aged for 60 days.

Mermaid Farm, Chilmark
The name has a meaning - the 35-acre farm is one of a handful of farms in the state influenced by the salt air. Along with bottled raw milk and other farm produce and meat, Mermaid Farm offers handmade yogurt and feta cheese from his pasteurized milk.

Wolf Meadow Farm, Amesbury
Wolf Meadow's cows' milk is bought from nearby Artichoke Dairy in West Newbury. Specializing in Italian cheeses, stop by to try the Mozzarella or Ricotta but also Caciocavallo, which is aged for 2 months or Scamorza, an aged mozzarella cheese. Wolf Meadow and its store is open to the public.

Crystal Brook Farm, Sterling
The Colonial farmstead, carved out of the woods in 1739 has had only three families own and operate it. Relying on 60 cows, the farm produces pasteurized goat cheese or, chevre in these flavors: Classic Plain, Cracked Black Pepper, Chive, Dill, Garlic & Basil, Sun-dried Tomato & Basil, Jalapeno/Cilantro, Cranberry/Orange, Australian Ginger, Lemon & Lavender, Mediterranean Marinated and Provencal Marinated. The farm is open to visitors 7 days a week.

Foxboro Cheese Company, Foxboro
The Lawton Family Farm is the home of Foxboro Cheese, where they started making cheeses in 2009. The farm was originally part of a 1632 land grant of over a thousand acres extending up to Dedham, today the 26-acre farm continues to thrive. Try their Asiago, Asiago Vintage and Fromage Blanc. The farmstand is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, and summer open houses are held at times posted on the website.