Vannella Cheese

Based in Marrickville, NSW using single origin, Australian cow and buffalo milk, we handcraft a variety of fresh, stretched curd cheeses following artisan traditions.

Vannella Cheese was born in Conversano, Puglia. The southern Italian town is also the birthplace of our Mum, Pina Vannella. Our Dad, Vito Minoia, the head cheese-maker at Vannella, was born 15km down the road.

Conversano is also the birthplace of our burrata, a fresh, stretched curd cheese that is filled with creamy stracciatella and then hand-tied. At 16 years old, Dad (apprenticed to a cheese maker in Conversano), learnt how to hand stretch curds for this cheese the traditional way. Back then everything was done by hand: the burrata, fior di latte, treccine, nodini, scamorza.

Over the following years Dad worked in some of Italy’s best cheese factories, but he always returned to Conversano; at first it was to marry Mum, and later to open their business - Caseificio Vannella. Eventually, we, my sister and I, were also born in Conversano.

When we moved to Australia, we brought a little bit of Conversano with us - we brought the cheese. In fact, we moved our lives around this cheese, first setting up in Cairns to be close to the dairy herds and buffalo and later moving to the city, to bring the fresh cheese closer to the tables where it was being served.

We embraced Australia and Australia embraced us. At Vannella we now make a variety of fresh, stretched curd cheeses that sing the traditions of our birthplace, along with cheeses and dairy products that we have learnt from the people we have met in Australia. We approach each with the same care for quality and authenticity.

You can’t get closer to tradition than that.

Where to Buy

Distribution Network

Distributor Locations

Latest stories

Mandole Orchard almond trees in full blossom

Nurturing Nature: Mandolé Orchard's Commitment to Sustainable Almond Farming

Discover the story of Mandolé Orchard, a leading Australian almond producer renowned for its sustainable practices and premium products, from single-origin almonds to delicious almond milk and butter.

Read more
A display of artisan food products from Australian First Nation producers for a curated hamper for Naidoc week 7-14 July 2024

Keep the fire burning! Blak, Loud & Proud.

National NAIDOC Week, 7-14 July, 2024

Read more

Uncle Charlie’s Taste of Country

Uncle Charlie's Wiradjuri family has been blending Native Foods for 2000 generations, and are striving to make their Native Foods affordable and accessible.

Read more

Subscribe to our tribe

If you’re a hospitality professional or foodie, sign-up now and be the first to discover the finest ingredients, food and drinks Australia and New Zealand have to offer.