Fontemanna, Farm Fresh In Umbria

  Last year while here in Panicale, Johnny and I were thrilled to stumble across Caseificio Fontemanna, a small family farm just over the next ridge. They sell small batches of the most amazing yogurt, cheese and ricotta we had ever tasted. Bar none. Honestly, this is one of those places I have been dreaming about coming back to all year. 

  Now as we are nearing the end of this trip, I am happy to report that we visited them several times, and have been treated so kindly by the whole family on each visit, we will again look forward to next year and more of the fine products they have to offer.

  We love having one of the yummy glass jarred yogurts for breakfast some mornings... We both love the one with cereal in it...wheat germ, seasoned with just enough sweetness from caramelized sugar and cinnamon, we think. It's delightful. The strawberry and "frutti di bosco", or forest fruits, are both really good, too. I think this is huckleberry....

BEST. YOGURT. EVER.

  The farm itself is located not too far from Tavernalle, in Colle San Paolo. We found it on one of our "strada bianca" adventures last year. There is a sandwich board on the road advertising the place. Once down the road, there is a small area to park, and the little store seems to always be open. At first you may think it isn't, but someone always comes along ready to help. The location is a beauty, too.

Johnny outside the little store on the property.

Beautiful views across the valley.

I believe this is the main family home, with the sheep and milking areas beyond. 

The sign in the window.

   Today, we went out to visit for the last time (this year.. we will be back!) I wanted one last look for pictures, and a few more yogurts to last us until the end. This time, I was able to get a few photos of the amazingly clean and tidy back room, where much of the magic happens.

A small operation, but a most mighty one. Ricotta happens here.

I've always loved milk cans....my Grandpa Pedrotti was a dairy man back in the day. 

The calling card with all info.

  I really appreciate that these good people are true to their aim of making an honest product, in small batches for super freshness. The cheeses and yogurts are made from raw sheep's milk, and I just don't think we can get this at home. We have been told that it is even a rare treat here, too. They only have a few cheeses, either an aged, semi-aged or fresh pecorino. All are fantastic. 

  The ricotta is almost always sold out to restaurants in the area, and we felt lucky to be offered some on one visit. It was incredible, with that slight barnyard flavor you only get from really fresh sheep's milk cheeses. They recommend it with local honey, but we went savory when we brought it home.

What better than local ricotta with local bread, olive oil and tomatoes from the south lands of Italy?

The products list.

 

Johnny chatting with one of the younger generation here. Art, politics, food and weather.

  We have tried all the different cheeses, but today were gifted some pecorino fresca, a younger, softer cheese. We have loads of fava beans ready to harvest in our garden here, so it was a perfect match. This is a Spring ritual here, eating the young fava beans raw with fresh pecorino. I understand it now.

Three stages of pecorino, fresh, semi-aged and aged.

Back home, amazing with the just picked fava beans. Oh, joy.

  We were invited to dinner last Friday and brought some munchies to have with wine before the main meal. I had some ricotta left, and mixed it with some fresh herbs from the garden...thyme and marjoram, salt and pepper. Great spread on crostini and topped with roasted tomatoes. Pretty, too.

Sadly, I forgot to take a final shot of this...it was so pretty! You get the idea...

Looks like something good to me. A proudly displayed certificate of goodness.

  These are the little joys of being here. Finding, by chance, a sweet place like this up a little road in the country. You just have to take the time to check it out, be brave about your lack of language skills, and go for it. You just don't know what you might miss, otherwise. This is a place we will come back to again and again, and look forward to doing so. 

  Grazie per tutti, Fontemanna! Ci vediamo prossimo anno!

  www.fontemanna.it