In the small village of Pedrovo, right on the border of the Vipava Valley and the Karst Plateau, you’ll find Tom and Borut’s organic goat and sheep cheese farm, Čilčevi.
The ladies busy at work (photo property of Domačija Čilčevi)
Pedrovo
After World War II, this village was almost completely abandoned. When it was little more than ruins, a few adventurous souls breathed new life into it. Today, about 15 people live here, carefully restoring the village while preserving its traditional architecture. You can stay in a few places, soaking in the silence, the views, and the stunning nature surrounding the village. It’s also a great destination for a bike ride. tThe road from the Vipava Valley is beautiful, easy to navigate, and nearly car-free. Along the way, you’ll pass Grad Rihemberk (also known as Branik Castle). But more on that later! Pedrovo is well worth a visit for a scenic hike or bike ride. Just keep in mind that there are no restaurants or cafés in the village, so bring your own snacks. Or, even better, combine your trip with a cheese tasting at Tom & Borut’s farm!
Organic Farm Čilčevi
In 2011, Tom and Borut bought a farm near the entrance of the village. After a major renovation, they started their business with goats and sheep. Today, they have 60 goats and 40 sheep, carefully choosing native breeds from this region, like the Istrian Pramenka sheep and Drežnica dairy goats. These breeds produce slightly less milk, but it’s richer in protein and fats—perfect for making high-quality cheese! The animals roam freely 24/7 on the meadows surrounding Pedrovo, which are among the richest and most diverse grasslands in Europe. This means the ladies munch on over 100 different grasses and herbs, which you can truly taste in the cheese. All that goodness goes into their organic dairy products, which you get to sample during a tasting session.
Tom & Borut and their beautifully renovated farm (photo property of Domačija Čilčevi)
We started with a selection of fresh cheeses, including goat ricotta, sheep’s cream cheese, and various young cheeses flavoured with local herbs and edible flowers. Since it was a hot day, the homemade acacia lemonade was a refreshing treat! Next up: Halloumi cheese—a cheese that doesn’t melt but develops a crispy crust, making it perfect for the BBQ. Finally, we tasted their aged and hard cheeses, paired with homemade jams and a glass of local wine. You might expect these cheeses to have a strong, intense flavour, but because of the low-yield, high-quality farming and rich natural diet, they’re actually incredibly delicate and nuanced.
After tasting everything, we stocked up on cheese, jam, and juice to take home, then headed out for a beautiful walk through nature. A perfect Sunday!
Cheese room where the cheeses mature (photo on the right property of Domačija Čilčevi)
Good to know
- If you want to combine a tasting with a visit to the village, make sure to call ahead and book. Tastings are always available on Saturdays and Sundays, but reservations are required.
- On weekdays, they’re open from 10:30 to 11:30. If they have time, they might be able to arrange a tasting as well—so it’s worth giving them a call to check!
- There’s a small parking lot at the entrance of the village. Other than that, there are no regular facilities in Pedrovo. You might be lucky and grab a glass of wine or a small bite at Farm Toncevi, but it’s not guaranteed. Toncevi.
Domačija Čilčevi
Tom & Borut
Pedrovo 1, 5295 Branik
Tel: +386 (0)40 601 307
Mail: domacija.cilcevi@gmail.com
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