Top Cheesecrafters in British Columbia to Replace Poplar Grove Cheese

British Columbia is home to some of the finest artisan cheesemakers, known for their dedication to quality and traditional craftsmanship. Using locally sourced milk and time-honoured techniques, these cheesemakers produce a variety of unique and flavourful cheeses that appeal to both casual consumers and gourmet enthusiasts. From rich and creamy camemberts to bold and complex blue cheeses, BC’s dairy artisans showcase the best of small-batch cheesemaking.

It’s time to highlight the top handcrafted cheese producers in the province, each bringing its own signature style and specialty cheeses to the table. Whether you are a cheese connoisseur or simply looking to try something new, these local cheesemakers offer some of the best dairy products in Canada. Beyond simply savouring fine cheeses, many consumers are finding creative ways to enhance their experiences – whether through gourmet pairings, themed gatherings, or even integrating artisan cheese into social gaming events like virtual casino nights.

Consumer Handbook: Poplar Grove Cheese

Poplar Grove Cheese was a well-loved artisan cheese shop located on the Naramata Bench (Naramata store) in Penticton, British Columbia. Established in 2007, it gained a strong reputation for producing high-quality, handmade cultured fine cheese crafted in small batches. Unfortunately, after nearly two decades in operation, the store permanently closed on October 31, 2024.

Poplar Grove Cheese specialized in three surface-ripened cheeses made with locally sourced, pasteurized cow’s milk from Dutchmen Dairy in Sicamous. Their products were known for their artisanal attention to detail, following traditional European techniques to create consistently high-quality, French-style cheeses.

Cheese Selection & Tasting Experience

Poplar Grove Cheese produced a variety of soft-ripened cheeses, including:

• Okanagan Double Cream Camembert – A smooth and creamy cheese with a delicate taste.
• Harvest Moon Washed Rind – A rich, aromatic cheese aged to perfection.
• Naramata Bench Blue – A full-bodied blue cheese with a distinct character.
• Tiger Blue – Their most popular and complex blue cheese, known for its bold flavour and crafted with special care.

The Naramata general store featured a tasting room where consumers could sample their signature cheeses. Additionally, curated gift boxes were available, featuring a combination of their cheeses, artisan crackers, and complementary products from local suppliers.

Gift Boxes & Specialty Products

Consumers could purchase various cheese gift boxes and whole foods wine gift baskets, including:

These gift boxes were highly rated among consumers for their quality and thoughtful selection.

Closure Announcement & Final Events

Despite its success and strong support from the community, Poplar Grove Cheese closed due to licensing challenges with the agricultural land regulations. Consumers were encouraged to visit before the official closure on October 31, 2024. A final community gathering was taken place on October 19 from 11 AM to 6 PM and featured:

• Cheese tastings
• Local wine, beer, and cider pairings
• Live music

Clients had the opportunity to purchase their favourite cheeses one last time before the store officially shuts its doors. Over the years, Poplar Grove Cheese built strong relationships with local wineries, restaurants, and artisan producers. Their cheeses were widely used in gourmet dishes across Canada, and their flagship Tiger Blue cheese became a recognized name in the culinary industry. Consumers who enjoyed Poplar Grove Cheese products are encouraged to explore other local cheese producers in British Columbia to continue supporting artisan cheesemaking.

While the closure of Poplar Grove Cheese marks the end of an era, it doesn’t mean cheese lovers are left without exceptional options. From the award-winning selections at Golden Ears Cheesecrafters to the farmstead specialties of Creekside Cheese + Creamery, there are plenty of alternatives worth discovering. If you are searching for a cheese shop Kelowna, a cheese store Vancouver, or charcuterie Kelowna, these producers offer a diverse selection of high-quality cheeses. Additionally, those looking for a wine tasting Penticton experience can still find excellent local cheese pairings at nearby locations like Poplar Grove Winery, Platinum Winery Oliver, and Lock and Worth.

Other Exceptional Cheesecrafters in British Columbia

British Columbia offers a diverse selection of artisan cheesemakers who continue to craft exceptional products for buyers. Whether you’re looking for bold flavours, creamy textures, or unique local specialties, these cheesemakers offer some of the best alternatives to Poplar Grove Cheese.

Golden Ears Cheesecrafters

Golden Ears Cheesecrafters is an award-winning artisan cheese company based in Maple Ridge, BC. Using high-quality grass-fed Jersey milk from neighbouring farms, they produce handcrafted cheeses free from hormones, steroids, antibiotics, palm oil, additives, and fillers.

Cheese Selection & Offerings

Golden Ears Cheesecrafters provides a variety of cheese categories, including:

• Hard Cheese
• Soft Cheese
• Spreadable Cheese
• Blues & Bloomy Rind Cheese
• Cheddar Cheese
• Specialty & Other Cheeses
• Other Dairy Items

Upcoming Events & Cooking Classes

Golden Ears Cheesecrafters hosts a variety of dinner classes, featuring cuisines from around the world.

Information on Shopping

Golden Ears Cheesecrafters offers a Cheese Club subscription for cheese enthusiasts. Members receive:

• Monthly cheese selections delivered to their doorstep.
• Exclusive VIP benefits.
• Free pick-up option.

Creekside Cheese + Creamery

Creekside Cheese + Creamery is a farmstead creamery located in the eastern end of British Columbia’s Fraser Valley. It operates as a single-source creamery, sourcing all its milk from Creekside Dairy, a certified organic family-owned dairy farm. The company specializes in hand-crafted, artisan cheeses made using traditional European cheesemaking techniques, with aging in an underground cheese cave.

Cheese Selection & Offerings

Creekside Cheese + Creamery offers a variety of handcrafted cheeses made from grass-fed, organic milk. Their cheeses are known for their rich flavours and high quality.

Farmstead Dairy & Sustainable Farming Practices

Creekside Dairy, owned and operated by Johannes and Julaine Treur, provides all the milk for Creekside Cheese + Creamery. The farm prioritizes sustainable and humane animal care.

• Grass-fed Jersey and Brown Swiss cows produce high-quality milk ideal for cheesemaking.
• Certified Organic and Certified Humane (formerly SPCA Certified) practices ensure ethical dairy farming.
• Grazing-based farming: Cows graze for at least 8 hours daily from April through October, promoting natural feeding and reducing environmental impact.
• Environmentally friendly practices:
  • No chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides
  • Use of cover crops and biodiversity support
  • Carbon-sequestering soil management techniques

Creekside Cheese + Creamery invites visitors to experience farm life, shop local products, and enjoy cheese tastings. British Columbia is home to some of the finest handcrafted cheeses in Canada. Whether it’s the rich and bold flavours of Poplar Grove’s Tiger Blue, the diverse offerings from Golden Ears Cheesecrafters, or the farm-fresh cheeses from Creekside Cheese + Creamery, these local cheesemakers showcase the best of artisan dairy craftsmanship. Supporting these cheesemakers not only ensures high-quality cheese but also sustains local farming and traditional cheesemaking techniques.