We have been to Caromont Farm for their goat snuggling sessions in the past and have always left feeling so happy and warm inside! The sessions involve going around to different stations based on ages of the goats. They also invite local artisans and food vendors - we got a beautiful wooden cheese board. They also offer samples of their cheeses as well as tubs of goat cheese to purchase. The truffle goat cheese is AMAZING! NOTE: Currently, the sessions are on pause due to COVID19, but I just want to give a shout out to the amazing work they put into this farm, caring for their goats, and their cheese making! As of March 2020, they are doing pre-order and pick ups for their cheeses - be sure to look at their websites for locations to grab this delicious local cheese and farm! read more

Caromont Farm - two lambs in a pen - Attraction Farms Near Me - Esmont, Virginia

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Caromont Farm is delightful. I have visited for multiple goat snuggling days, and they were fun and charming experiences. The farm is set in a beautiful hilly area with trees and rolling meadows. There are goats, chickens, peacocks, and the friendliest shaggy dogs you will ever meet. Wear boots or sneakers that you can lose to mud, and dress in layers. There is a very clean port o potty and a sink hooked to a (very cold!) well, so you can wash your hands. You will leave covered in hoof prints, fur, and animal slobber. I cannot speak to the locavore dinners held at the farm, but I would love to attend one. The owner is well travelled and versed on international cuisines, and she speaks with great fondness of other local producers. The farm's cheeses are incredible. My personal favorite is their black truffle chèvre. They also make delicious logs with herbes de Provence and pimento cheese. Their aged goat Parmesan is amazing. The cheeses are not strongly flavored of "goatiness"--I understand that is achieved by keeping male goats away from milk-producing females. All the cheese is delicately flavored, and the hot chocolate created for one of the snuggling days that I attended was decadent and divine. (I usually shy away from non-savory goat dairy products because of strong goaty flavors.) I highly recommend Caromont Farms. Be aware that there is virtually no cell reception at the farm. read more

Caromont Farm - Snuggle days - Attraction Farms Near Me - Esmont, Virginia

Caromont Farms reached internet notoriety when they were looking for volunteers to help with snuggling baby goats during the cold winter months. They would dress up the baby goats in sweaters and you would have the difficult task of snuggling those little balls of CUTENESS. And then basically, everyone volunteered. Caromont farm is also known for their really really good goat cheese especially their Farmstead Chevre. (they also have great raw milk cheeses). I managed to sample the cheeses and they were ridiculously good and some so fresh they still have a grassy flavor (trust me it's good). We came down for one of the open houses, and it was basically the best day ever. The farm was so chill with their approach. They let you have free run of the fields to play with goats, had plenty of water and soap to wash up with, and offered a selection of cheese to try. About the farm: It is located 23 miles south of Charlottesville, Virginia. They produce both fresh and aged cheeses using milk from Gail Hobbs-Page's herd of Alpines, Saanens, and La Mancha goats. Caromont's cow's milk cheeses are produced from milk sourced from Nathan Vergins' herd of grass fed Jerseys at Silky Cow Farm in nearby North Garden, Virginia. All cheeses are made on farm and are hand ladled, tended daily, and follow a seasonal path. About the goats though. They love people. At least the babies, the older ones were just chillaxin and didn't care. The kids though, they welcome all snuggles and scratches and will run with you, and they get clinically depressed when you leave and start crying. They also love to eat your shoelaces, shorts, sunglasses, and will take selfies by licking and biting your phone. Each goat has a name, my favorite was Bernie Sanders (not a political statement at all but watch your wallet around him), he was the most relaxed one and would just mind his own business. If you pet him, he's cool, if not, he will just keep chowing down on some hay. I am really proud of myself for not bringing a few home with me. Now the baby goat snuggling, this was a brilliant plan on the part of the farm, because not only did you get to snuggle up with cute kids, it also helped educate consumers about how their food is produced. I know I'll be keeping an eye out for more local grown products and especially Caromont cheese in the future. The farm offers seasonal dinners(http://www.caromontcheese.com/farm-dinners/), tours (http://www.caromontcheese.com/tours/) open houses throughout the year (just check their facebook). I highly recommend a stop by if you are in Charlottesville and pick up some cheese for a post goat snuggling after party at any local winery, cidery or brewery. They also frequent several farmers markets. Stop by or try their cheese, you goat to love this place! read more

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CHEERS AND KUDOS TO SAHAR R., as that is how I found about Caromont Farms!!! Located about 20 miles south of Charlottesville in the Piedmont region, this farm produces fresh and aged cheeses, both from their goats (they have Alpines, Saanens, and La Mancha breeds) as well as from one of their close friend's/business counterpart's (Nathan Vergin) Jersey cows' milk. In addition to being able to purchase their cheeses, you can also sign up for their private tours (of the milking and the cheese-making facility), cooking classes and dinner events (advance ticket purchases required). Those who are interested in volunteering or interning, reach out to them - they are always looking for helpers! During Memorial Day weekend, the hubs and I was able to attend one of their Open Houses - once you park your vehicle, you are warmly welcomed to explore the farm - there are some pens set up with goats in which you are more than welcome to go in and just give your loving. I absolutely loved the baby goats, their curiosity, and their total affection (they even cried when we drove away - BREAKS YOUR HEART) T____T In addition to the goats, there are some peacocks (and their chicks in the cage) roaming about, as well as the farm's friendly cat and pup. Run by Daniel and Gail, Daniel gave us a nice intimate tour of the barn and was super informative and answered all of our questions. We also checked out the different cheeses at a mini tent that was set-up on their porch: Farmstead Chevre (the most purest form of goat's milk cheese that is smooth, creamy, and mild - this was surprisingly not too pungent, due to their quick chilling process of the milk during the milking procedure); Tandoori Chevre (crusted with herbes de provence and has some Indian spices going on, this was an interesting version); Chabi (ripened for one month, this had a brie-like consistency where it was smooth and slightly nutty); Fromage Frais with Truffles (one of my favorites - this is a grass-fed cow's milk spread with black truffles from Alba, Italy - a lovely truffle taste throughout); and, another favorite, the Red Row (raw and aged for 60 days and then washed in VA hard cider, this was also a grass-fed cow's milk cheese that had a nice nutty taste; has a rind). There were also some Caromont Farms swag, such as t-shirts, for sale. The place is a bit isolated and super rustic (cell signals are super weak here), so just note that there will be tons of flies and bugs (nature lovers won't mind) - plus, they are all about using 'natural predators,' so you won't see any use of harmful pesticides here (which also explains the abundance of the flies and such). One doesn't need to drive all the way here to purchase their items, though (even though it's an interesting experience) - you can find Caromont products at the farmers market in Charlottesville, as well as at La Fromagerie in OT Alexandria. +friendly baby goats :D +ask for Mr. Daniel :D +goat and cow milk cheese for sale +volunteering and internships opportunities available +farm tours +farm dinners with ticket purchases +weak cell signals read more

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I love this place. I mean, it is one of the best places I've been. My day to day job is super stressful. This place; truly stress free. It is so amazing. I will call this "my happy place". I wish it was closer because I would go every chance I could get. I live near D.C. It's around 2 1/2 hours. Totally worth it. The drive is wonderful; country roads, outside of the daily traffic. Baby goats are freaking adorable. They are happy to see you. They relax, nap, jump, do their thing. Seriously...if you are able to go, do it. Check out tickets for their snuggle sessions. Totally worth it. read more

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Attended a goat snuggling event here over the weekend and what a great experience! This was my first visit to Caromont Farm, but I will definitely be back. It's quite a hike from Richmond, but my advice is to take the back roads and enjoy a beautiful scenic drive. The goats are adorable, friendly, and love to play. For a working farm/barnyard it was very clean and the goats are also clean and do not smell. Still, plenary of soap/water/hand sanitizer is provided to wash up. There is an opportunity to sample/purchase the amazing cheeses and other goods. The tough part is choosing a favorite! The staff was very friendly and explained where to go and how to handle the goats. Parking is plentiful and the views are incredible. Check the website for events. I understand they sell out quickly. Tickets are only around $12 for a five hour timeframe. Great Sunday road trip! read more

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