Visiting the Famed Výrov Goat Farm in the Czech Republic
The Vyrov Goat Farm is off-the-beaten path Czech Republic at its finest. Delicious goat cheese, kind goats, and beautiful scenery.
Not all that far from Husinec, a small town in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic, there’s a goat farm. And, perhaps you’re saying “well that’s nice, Chris…but so what?”
Well, obviously if I’m writing about this place, there’s got to be something special about it, right?
And, of course, there’s plenty that makes this place special. The time I spent there a little while back is legitimately etched into my memory. I can still smell the farm, and taste the cheese, and even feel the texture of the yogurt/milk that I drank (for better or worse!).
And I can hear the owner of the farm calling to each of her goats, of which she owns about 80. Each of the goats is not only named, but actually responds to their name, and I was impressed how this seemingly incredible goat whisperer could recognize which goat was which from about a football field away.
All I can say is that it’s like nowhere else I’ve ever been, and I’ve got a tremendous amount of respect for the hard work and dedication that this family has put into this farm.
Welcome to Rodinná Farma Výrov (Výrov Family Farm)
Our wonderful host interacting with one of her prized horses.
Výrov (full name Výrov u Husince) is a remote little village in the district of Prachatice. Readers might recall my appreciation for the nearby brewery, Pivovar Prachatice. The family purchased the farm in June of 2011, and they immediately got to work breeding sheep, dairy goats and cattle. Over time, they decided to stop raising cattle altogether, and focus particularly on the goats.
The farm is included in a national program run by the Czech government to help protect unique resources in the Czech Republic. In this case, it’s about protecting the White Shorthaired Goat, which is a dairy breed of goat that is only found in the Czech Republic. They’re actually the result of selective breeding between Czech Landrace Goats and Swiss Saanen Goats.
Despite being colloquially called the “Výrov Goat Farm,” there are certainly more than just goats on the property. I spotted ducks and geese, cats and kittens, Hungarian hounds and border collies, and a handful of handsome horses.
This place is a farm in every sense of the word, and there’s a natural energy and commotion that’s actually quite a welcomed change from the usual hustle and bustle of city life that I and many others have gotten so acclimated to. It’s busy, but in a very different way.
Visiting Výrov Goat Farm
When I visited back in 2019, the times were a little bit different. I was free to visit the farm alongside other international media, and we were certainly able to stand within 6 feet of each other. Before you do decide to visit, you can contact them on their website to get the latest information on how best to visit. They also have an active Facebook page.
I relished the opportunity to visit, especially as it relates to just being out in the field surrounded by animals. You’re also surrounded by meadows, and forests, and in the distance you can see the hill known as Výrovčice, which stands over 700 metres above sea level.
I’ve never met such friendly horses. They looked healthy as can be, and they would practically gallop straight into your arms. Horses are such beautiful, sensitive creatures that it really is a treasure to be up close and personal with them.
That being said, it was also just plain fun to be surrounded by happy goats that are all trying to get your attention. My guess is they wanted food from me, but I’m going to pretend they were just really excited to meet me.
After being in the field, we went indoors to see the milking station, and get some insight into their approach towards making their award winning goat milk products. Again, I was floored by how organized and disciplined the matriarch of this family was.
Everything had to be done a certain way - namely, the right way.
Time For Some Tasting
Thankfully, I’m a big fan of goat cheese, though I’m not sure I was quite ready for the raw goat’s milk, or what I sipped on at the end of my visit, which was something akin to a goat yogurt/milk combination.
I should note that their store is open, and they are currently selling products from the farm. Their list of products is always changing, but there are a few things in particular that they’re well known for:
Raw goat milk
Goat kefir milk
Natural goat cheese (an award winner)
Goat gouda ripening cheese (this is their most famous award winning cheese)
Goat cheese with chives
Goat cheese with garlic
Goat cheese with Italian spices
Goat cheese with basil
What I particularly appreciated was how fresh everything tasted. Sadly, especially in North America, things have become considerably more processed. So it’s refreshing to bring things back to basics, and experience what many would argue is the way things should be. The cheese might be a bit strong or pungent, but it’s also as fresh as it comes.
The milk and yogurt weren’t quite as much to my liking, but that shouldn’t stop you from giving it a whirl.
The Power of Looking Local
This smiling goat’s name was Maggie! We got along famously.
I’m not somebody who is out here to shame people for going to the big supermarket or anything like that, but I am someone who advocates looking local first if you can. Part of this is also because I’m a social person, and I love the idea that I can converse and interact with someone who is not only selling me a local product, but actually had a hand in making it.
I find I’m able to gain a different appreciation for a product when I can understand the approach, and that’s what a visit to the goat farm in Výrov is all about to me. I personally was cycling in the Czech Republic when I stopped by, but you conceivably plan a visit on any future trip in which you’ll be rolling through South Bohemia.
It’s memorable, and it’s just something a little different, and at the end of the day, isn’t that what travel is all about?
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