La Cantara brings the flavours and traditions of Venezuelan cheese to Tasmania and beyond. 
 
Genaro and Rosselyn Velasquez are two vets from Venezuela. When they came to Australia in 2009, they thought their English skills were not too bad. Switching on the TV and hearing only ‘noise’ they swiftly realised there was some learning to do! Not only did they learn English, today they operate La Cantara Artisan Cheeses in far north-west Tasmania.
 
The couple fell in love with the lush farmland near Smithton. But they began to wonder why the region produced nearly half of Tasmania’s premium milk yet no one was making artisan cheese. What began as making cheese for the family soon became a commercial operation.


You can take a tour and taste the different varieties of cheese; you’ll also find them in specialty stores like Hill Street Grocer. The family drives south for many hours to share their flavours at Salamanca Market, regularly bringing visitors from Venezuela to tears as they’re reminded of home. 
 
You’ll find aged cheeses and brie through to Venezuelan favourites like queso de mano. There’s even a rum-soaked cheese packed with character, and Smokey Cow with its ground pepper and paprika flavours of western Spain. Then there's the Café con Leche – anyone for cheese infused with exquisite Colombian coffee?
 
12 Nelson Street, Smithton
lacantara.com.au
0400 126 810
[email protected]