From the idyllic countryside to sleepy island towns, South Carolina’s rural areas are home to an array of cheese artisans. Go on a self-guided tasting tour of the South Carolina Cheese Trail with these farms and creameries.
At Whispering Pines Farm in Seneca, take a tour of a working farm and then stock up on freshly made feta, herbed chevre and their original Mauldinian recipe: a semi-hard cheese soaked in wine. Stroll at your own pace at Split Creek Farm in Anderson, a goat dairy beloved for its light, creamy fromage blanc—sold on its own or melded with almonds and apricots—and its feta marinated in olive oil. At Happy Cow Creamery in Pelzer, hop on a trolley tour (reservations required) to learn about the dairy farm while taking in views of black and white spotted cows lazily grazing the lush fields. This creamery churns out everything from butter to cheddar. For farm tours, friendly animals and a country store selling goat cheese in an assortment of flavors, stop by Goat Daddy's Farm in Elgin, open to the public on Saturdays. Down on Johns Island, book your ticket at The Goatery at Kiawah River, where you’ll find artisanal cheeses, farm tours and even goat yoga.
Try this: At Ted’s Butcherblock in Charleston, pick up a picnic-ready charcuterie spread to-go with all the accoutrements: cheeses, crostini, dried fruits, salami and house-made pâtés and rillettes.
