Amanda and Lindsey Goodman’s fledgling business The Drunken Nanny was born in the spring of 2015 with a small flock of 25 milking does, a passion for these engaging and mischievous animals and a good deal of enthusiasm and hard work. Based on the Goodman’s family sheep and beef farm just south of the picturesque Martinborough wine village in rural Wairarapa, The Drunken Nanny’s individually named flock of does produce the freshest of goats’ milk, which is milked on-site and processed in the purpose-built cheese room adjacent to the milking stand. This ability to monitor the goats’ grazing, and avoid the logistics of transporting the milk to the cheese room ensures only the freshest milk goes into their luscious range of fresh cheeses, starting with their hugely popular Fresh Lush and Dill Lush soft cheeses. This freshness ensures the cheeses have a light, mild and creamy flavour with just a hint of acidity.
In only its second year of business The Drunken Nanny has been awarded three silver and one bronze medal for their Fresh Lush, Dill Lush, Black Tie and Savvy Washed Rind cheeses at the 2017 NZ Champions of Cheese awards. They received two finalist awards in the inaugural NZ Outstanding Producer awards for their Dill Lush and Black Tie cheeses.
These cheeses have an established following through local retailers and restaurants, and are ideal served with as part of a cheese and fruit platter or cooked in a soufflé, sauce or tart, or in pizzas, breads and baking. Amanda and Lindsey also produce limited releases of feta, savvy-washed rind, camembert and farmhouse cheese when milk supply and conditions allow, however they plan to focus on their core “Lush” range and releasing these cheeses to stores nationwide. Currently available through local retailers in Wairarapa, and in the North Island through Moore Wilsons and Farro Fresh, The Drunken Nanny is now poised to expand their distribution throughout the country.
