Chateau Fresno Organics

Abe Abuhilal, an agriculture consultant, has long harbored a dream of making cheese, a passion rooted in his upbringing in Abu Dis, a Palestinian town known for its cheeses. After studying in Sardinia, Italy, he brought the art of making pecorino-style cheese to the United States. His farm, Chateau Fresno Organic, is situated in Caruthers, California, and specializes in rare sheep's milk cheeses. Abuhilal's cheeses, including pecorino, baladi, and feta, are made with organic raw sheep's milk and have gained recognition in the Valley. The cheeses are sold at local farmers markets and through community-supported agriculture programs.

Abuhilal processes raw sheep’s milk to create certified organic cheeses using vegetarian rennet. He grows organic alfalfa to feed his sheep, resulting in high-protein milk that enhances the flavor of his cheeses. The farm adheres to a minimum aging period of 60 days for raw-milk cheeses, ensuring both safety and depth of flavor. The interconnectedness of the farm's practices highlights a commitment to organic farming and high-quality dairy production.

The farm also produces vine-ripe tomatoes, veggie plants, annuals, perennials, herbs, blackberries, and hay. Abuhilal's cheeses, such as Journey and baladi, are known for their unique flavors and versatility in both savory and sweet dishes. The cheeses are available at the Kingsburg farmers market, through Abundant Harvest Organics, and in select stores. For more information, potential customers can call (559) 896-4225.