Fantello Farmstead Creamery: Honoring Land, Animals, and the Art of Cheesemaking
We’re delighted to introduce you to Fantello Farmstead Creamery, another of our incredible Snail of Approval awardees!
Fantello Farmstead Creamery is a small dairy on the Enumclaw Plateau, where raw milk cheeses are crafted using traditional methods learned in France by Paul Fantello and his original partner, Patricia, as they prepared to revive Paul’s grandmother’s dairy and carry the farm into a new generation.
Today, Paul and Angelina milk 23 Jersey cows and keeps a herd of about 40 cows total. We’re especially impressed that Fantello makes cheese exclusively from Jersey cow milk, even though Jersey milk can be more challenging for cheesemaking due to its high butterfat. Paul and his family still hand-pour milk into the vats to preserve the milk’s fat globules and delicate flavor. As Paul learned from his French instructor, excessive mechanization can damage those fat globules and impact the final character of the cheese.
Fantello received our highest marks for animal welfare and is Certified Animal Welfare Approved by A Greener World. The herd always has access to pasture, and calves are given exceptional care: they receive the milk first and remain with their mothers during their first months of life.
The farm produces very little waste, returning whey and manure back to the land. Through regenerative grazing practices, the family has adapted their sloped rocky ground for strong summer forage. Over the past three years, they have planted clovers, chicory, and drought-tolerant grasses, transforming summer grazing conditions for the herd.
Fantello is truly a family effort. Paul’s daughter Angelina milks the cows each day, while his daughter Jacqueline helps oversee the aging rooms and the day-to-day care of the cheeses, while also managing the farm’s online presence and outreach, helping connect their story and cheeses to the wider community.
Their work supports local foodways by keeping production transparent, seasonal, and deeply connected to place. Fantello sells directly to the community through farmers markets and regional partners, helping strengthen local food systems and keep small-scale agriculture viable.
“We believe great cheese begins with great milk, and great milk comes from healthy land, well-cared-for animals, and thoughtful stewardship. By focusing on low-impact farming, honoring traditional techniques, and avoiding excessive mechanization, we preserve the integrity of our milk and the character of our cheeses.”
Thank you, Paul, and the entire Fantello family, for doing such beautiful and delicious work. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition!
Contact Information:
• Fantello Farmstead Creamery
• Paul Fantello
• Website: fantellocreamery.com
