Fromagerie ISTARA Expertise stemming from pastoral tradition since 1964

Istara Cheese Factory : Over 60 years of commitment to the Basque Country

Located in the small village of Larceveau, in the heart of the Basque Country, the Istara Cheese Dairy has been cultivating its expertise rooted in pastoral tradition since 1964. The milk is collected from over 500 small family farms in the area surrounding the dairy. These shepherds raise their local breed sheep in the Pyrenean pastures, providing us daily with naturally rich and fragrant milk that gives the Ossau-Iraty Istara PDO its distinctive flavor.

OSSAU-IRATY PDO ISTARA : All the authenticity of the Basque Country. It benefits from a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) which certifies that it is made with milk from local sheep breeds. It is aged for a minimum of 4 months and up to 7 months for the Grand Affiné version. Its taste is fruity and its texture melts deliciously in the mouth. Enjoy it in the Basque style, in thin slices accompanied by black cherry jam.

CHISTOU D'ISTARA : The fruity taste of sheep's milk combined with the mildness of cow's milk. This cheese is made from a blend of cow's and sheep's milk, matured for approximately 90 days. Its flavor is both mild and distinctive, combining the character of sheep's milk with the more moderate flavor of cow's milk. Its supple, melting texture and beautiful ivory color further enhance the enjoyment.

P'TIT BASQUE D'ISTARA : A unique, pure sheep's milk cheese. This small, pure sheep's milk cheese has a melting texture and a subtly fruity flavor. Its unique, delicately sculpted rind is characteristic of the wicker molds of yesteryear. It is also available in a mixed variety that combines the distinctive flavor of goat's milk with the delicate taste of sheep's milk.

Direct sales and cheese tasting

• Monday to Friday from 9:30am to 12:30pm and from 2:30pm to 6:30pm
• Summer hours: continuously from 9:30 am to 6:30 pm, Monday to Friday
• Saturdays during the season from 10am to 12:30pm and 2pm to 6:30pm