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Little River Estate
Established · 14 signalscheesemaker Nelson
Little River Estate logo

Little River Estate

David & Sue Barrett

Little River Estate was founded by David and Sue Barrett, though the name itself has an earlier history, initially registered around 2002 for an uneconomical vineyard on their Nelson lifestyle block. A2 cow's milk cheeses from Oaklands herd · Trophy-winning Brie de Moutere, stinky Wildfire, Aged Swiss, Tasman Blue · No preservatives, fillers, thickeners · Made at same facility as Thorvald · Uses traditional methods with no compromise

“FreshChoice Takaka offers their products online with a click-and-collect option.”

Tradition PreservedOperator PassionAuthentic SourcingMulti-GenerationalArtisan QualityStory RichCraft ObsessionEmerging momentumOriginal SourcePersonal ConnectionHidden DiscoveryLocal SecretMoment of CareCommunity traction

Their Story

Little River Estate was founded by David and Sue Barrett, though the name itself has an earlier history, initially registered around 2002 for an uneconomical vineyard on their Nelson lifestyle block. The brand was revived in 2017 when droughts impacted the sheep milk supply for their existing…

What They Make

  • Cheeses (A2 Cow's Milk): Brie de Moutere (trophy-winning), Wildfire (stinky washed rind), Little River Mt Richmond (formerly Aged Swiss, sweet, nutty, savory aged), Tasman Blue (distinctively orange-coloured mild blue, firm, cheddar-like texture, coloured with Annatto), Halloumi, Not Camembert.
  • Seasonal/Limited Offerings: Bliss (chardonnay-lees infused), Cumulus (fluffy, light, possibly 50/50 sheep/cow's milk), Full Monty (medium soft, aged in Montepulciano grape skins).
  • Dairy Products (A2 Cow's Milk): Yoghurt, Sour Cream, Cream Cheese.
  • Associated Thorvald Sheep Milk Products (from shared factory): Thorvald Curado, Devotion, Camembert.

Awards & Recognition

  • New World Champion of Champion Cheese Award – Mid-sized Cheesery — Supreme Champion Trophy(2022)
  • IXOM Champion European Style Cheese Award — Winner(2022)
  • NZSCA Champion European Style Cheese Award — Winner (for Little River Estate Aged Swiss)(2021)
  • NZ Cheese Awards — Gold medal for Brie de Moutere(2020)
  • NZ Cheese Awards — Silver medal for Tasman Blue(2019)
  • Top NZ Cheese Store — GOLD (for The Junction Cheese Shop)(2024)

More from Little River Estate

Cheese tastings (at The Junction Cheese Shop)Curated selection of other local and international artisan cheeses (at The Junction Cheese Shop)Premium deli products (at The Junction Cheese Shop)Local wines (at The Junction Cheese Shop)Refill station for milk, olive oil, and other items (at The Junction Cheese Shop)

How to Get Their Products

Farmers' Markets

Nelson Farmers Market

Nelson·Wed 8-1

Direct Sales

151 McShane Road, Appleby 7081, New Zealand

Online

Customers can purchase Little River Estate products in-person at The Junction Cheese Shop (151 McShane Rd, Appleby) or at the Nelson Farmers Market. Online purchases are available through The Junction's website, the Nelson Market's "Shop the Market" platform, FreshChoice Takaka (with click-and-collect), and New Zealand Cheese Ltd. (nationwide contactless delivery). Wholesale orders are facilitated via Upstock.

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