Paige Seburn
Niagara Now/The Lake Report

As Barbara Walsh stood among a selection of artisanal cheeses at PayneZimmer Restoration Farm on Saturday, her excitement was palpable. 

Walsh had just purchased the water buffalo cheese and a cow/goat mix she thought resembled a brie in taste.

“The cow and goat mix is just so creamy and lovely. There’s even a sweetness to it too,” said Walsh.

“The water buffalo cheese is lovely, too. It’s like an authentic Italian mozzarella.”

Having grown up on a farm in Niagara, Walsh appreciates the opportunity to support local agriculture while enjoying some delicious cheese.

“It’s so good that I have to hide the cheese from my husband. I put it in the vegetable crisper,” she said, while chuckling. 

The cheese tasting invited the community to explore a variety cheeses from 2 to 4 p.m.

Leslie Payne-Zimmer, the farm’s owner, acquired the land two and a half years ago and is passionate about creating an authentic farm experience.

While she currently sources cheeses and other products from various farms across Ontario, there are plans to begin making cheeses in-house once the operation is fully established.

“Everything that’s here, I’ve tasted myself. I’ve made sure there’s no artificial ingredients, that it’s very high-quality and that it’s good for the price,” said Payne-Zimmer. 

She encourages anyone interested in purchasing products to reach out via email at info@paynezimmer.com.

The farm also offers memberships to its recreational areas, featuring a dog park, jogging tracks, a labyrinth and two mazes. 

She believes it’s a perfect place for families to explore and relate to the land, she said. 

The farm is located at 831 Concession 6 Rd.