Featuring: Vine Farm Dairy, Great Dalby
Theme: Regenerative farming, innovation and community
Tucked away in the heart of Great Dalby, Vine Farm Dairy is a true family farm with a story that stretches back over a century. The Chandler/Mann family has worked this land for generations, and their story reflects how farming heritage can evolve and thrive in modern times.
The dairy began life in the 1950s, when just two cows were milked by hand in the yard of the old Vine Farm house. From these modest beginnings, the farm grew into a thriving dairy enterprise. Thanks to long-standing family ties with Long Clawson Dairy, Vine Farm quickly became a supplier of milk for the world-famous Stilton cheese — a role they continue to be proud of today.
Let’s take a closer look at what makes them so special. 👇
A Herd With Character
Today, Vine Farm is home to a milking herd of more than 350 cows, across three different breeds:
🐄 Montbéliarde – a French breed known for robust health and rich, creamy milk.
🐄 Holsteins – the world’s most popular dairy cow, producing high yields.
🐄 Jerseys – small but mighty, delivering milk with exceptional butterfat content.The careful balance of these breeds ensures milk that is not only plentiful but also perfect for a variety of uses — from cheesemaking to everyday drinking.
A Balance of Tradition and Innovation
Around 95% of Vine Farm’s milk still goes to Long Clawson Dairy for the production of Stilton, maintaining that special link between local farms and a global delicacy. But the family has also embraced innovation.
The remaining 5% of milk is pasteurised on-site at Vine Farm, giving the family complete control over quality and allowing them to support a wide network of local businesses. This farm-fresh milk is delivered daily to places like:
🥛 Hambleton Bakery, where it helps create award-winning breads.
🥛 Hambleton Hall and Hart’s Hotel & Kitchen, adding a touch of local flavour to fine dining.
🥛 Leicester Tigers and Leicester City Football Club, fuelling elite athletes.
🥛 Gates Garden Centre, offering shoppers a taste of Rutland and Leicestershire farming.
The Milk Shed – Bringing the Farm to the Community
Perhaps one of Vine Farm’s proudest achievements is The Milk Shed — a self-serve vending hub where locals can buy their milk directly from the farm, alongside other produce from nearby farms.
It’s become more than just a vending machine. The Milk Shed is a place where the community connects with the farm, where families bring children to see where their milk comes from, and where people can choose to support local food producers.
A Farm Steeped in History
The Chandler/Mann family’s ties to the land go back over 100 years. Each generation has added to the farm’s legacy, from those first hand-milked cows in the 1950s to the thriving dairy of today.
The journey reflects the resilience and adaptability of British farming. While technology and consumer habits have changed, Vine Farm’s commitment to quality, care for their cows, and connection to the community has remained constant.
💚 Why It Matters to Our Community
Vine Farm Dairy is more than just a supplier of milk:
🌱 It supports the local food chain, linking farms with bakeries, restaurants, and sports teams.
🧀 It plays a key role in the world-famous Stilton cheese industry.
🚜 It preserves family farming traditions, while embracing modern practices.
🥛 It provides a direct link to farming for local people through The Milk Shed.
Next time you pick up a loaf from Hambleton Bakery, enjoy a meal at Hambleton Hall, or cheer on Leicester Tigers — there’s a good chance Vine Farm milk is part of the story.
📍 Learn more about Vine Farm Dairy: www.vinefarmdairy.co.uk
📱 Follow them on Facebook: Vine Farm Dairy
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