Not So Cranky
Cranky Goat Cheese is an award-winning artisanal cheese producer from Marlborough. It is a family-owned and operated business.
In 2014, Simon and Hellene Lamb took a leap of faith and turned Simon’s cheese-making hobby into a small business. It took grit, determination, passion and more than a few mistakes to get to where they are today. Not only did they decide to use goat milk, which needs gentle handling, but they wanted to focus on minimal processing, traditional French cheese-making techniques, and delivering real flavour.
Thanks to their love of challenges and incredible work ethic, (5.30am starts and long days six days a week), Cranky Goat has built a strong reputation for delicious unique cheeses with exceptionally high standards. The names of the cheeses have a story, a familial link or a geographical tie, giving the cheese a real sense of place.
Like sheep, goats are usually dried off over winter, but rather than taking winters off the enterprising couple created a sister brand, aptly called Mooody Cow (yes, 3 o’s) and using their special goat milk recipes began making cow’s milk cheese from Oaklands A2 skim milk.
Three Cats
Three Cats Preserves is a Marlborough, Picton-based business, family-run by Alex and Sarah. Three Cats isn’t just limited to the Marlborough Farmers’ Market; the eclectic chutneys and other preserves are supplied to Cranky Pantry Deli in Blenheim Central, plus a couple of vineyards. Alex and Sarah are working on a website that, when completed, may attract customers from beyond Marlborough.
Three Cats was named in honour of the three cats — Bruce, Maude, and Bella —that they brought back from the UK.
The Three Cats Raspberry Vinegar is delicious drizzled over the new Cranky Goat Soft Goat Cheese.