Cheese Tour (Student Rate)
- Per studentR140
Guided tour of the cheese production process and an interactive cheese tasting experience, plus our famous Dutch apple cake and juice.
Cheese Tours · Since 1996
Milk to wheel, every week
A 60-minute walk through the working kaasmakerij on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, from fresh milk to coated cheese wheel. Finished with a guided tasting, coffee or tea, and a slice of Dutch apple cake.
The heritage
A craft that crossed an ocean
When Annelies van Gaalen established the kaasmakerij in 1994, South Africa's idea of cheese began and ended with Cheddar and "rooi skil kaas". A lot has changed since then and a lot of different types of cheese are available in South Africa. On the farm we specialise in Gouda cheese. Fresh milk from local suppliers is collected and turned into curds and whey. The wheels of cheese are pressed, salted, coated and matured in the walk-in fridges until they have their unique flavour. Young, creamy and mild, or long matured, harder and much stronger in flavour.
The tours began in 1996 under the trees beside the original production shed. Today they're an institution: an educational outing for school groups and an easy, informal morning for visitors of all ages, hosted since 2000 in a building with big glass windows onto the production floor.
Tasting included
Milk to wheel
How the cheese is made
Fresh milk arrives
Milk is collected from local suppliers.
Cultures & rennet
Cultures and rennet begin the change from liquid to curd.
Curds & whey
Cut and stirred to separate solids from the liquid.
Pressing the wheels
Curds are packed into moulds, the traditional Gouda moulds used on the farm, and pressed.
The brine bath
A long soak in brine seasons the cheese and starts the rind.
Coated & matured
Coated and matured on the farm and kept at the right temperature to optimise ageing and develop taste.
Plan your tour
Tour times & pricing
An educational though informal 60-minute talk on how cheese is made on the farm, from milk to final product, for individuals and families of all ages. Your ticket includes the tour and cheese tasting. Coffee, tea or juice and a slice of Dutch apple cake are also served.
- AdultsR190
- Children & pensionersR140
Bookings for the walk-in tours aren't required but are recommended. School and group tours need to be booked in advance. See school group tours below. Call 083 226 7834 or email admin@vangaalen.co.za
Book a TourWeekly tour times
- Wednesday10h00
- Saturday10h00
- Sunday11h00
- Public holidaysFarm & shop open
Arrive 15 minutes early and browse the cheese shop: every Gouda on the tasting board is available to take home, alongside preserves and Dutch favourites. See the cheese shop price list before you go.
Cheese Price ListFor educators
School group tours
Make learning fun and delicious with our Cheese Tours.
Cheese Tour + Hike Combo
- Per studentR160
Guided cheese production tour and interactive cheese tasting experience with Dutch apple cake and juice, plus a scenic hike through our mapped trails (70% shaded).
Meal Option: Burger or Pizza Special
- Per studentR115
Choice of a freshly made burger and chips, or kiddies pizza, with a cold drink of choice.
A 10% service fee applies to the bill.
Teachers' tour and hike, free
We value our educators; all accompanying teachers enjoy the full tour experience at no cost (restaurant excluded).
Good to know before you book
- Tours take place at 10am on an agreed date. The tour takes about an hour, and the hike about another hour.
- We are fully booked for August and September 2026.
- Closed Mondays and Tuesdays, except public holidays.
- Please send us your potential dates so we can check availability.
- Limit of 140 students per day. If more, arrangements can be made.
How to book
Advance booking required to ensure availability. Let us know your group size and which options you'd like.
Call 083 226 7834 or email admin@vangaalen.co.za.
Book a School TourCome taste it at the source
Tour at ten, taste at eleven, lunch at Terrace @ Van Gaalen after. Book ahead for groups and schools.