Elderslie Farm

Multifaceted farm virtually Wichita, Kansas

Story by Lisa Waterman Gray

Photos by Elderslie Farm, Visit Wichita, and Lisa Waterman Gray

Most people tin can easily detect caprine animal'south milk cheese in local grocery stores. Simply how oft do you become to meet the goats who produced that milk and bask fine dining within steps of the befouled? At Elderslie Subcontract, in Kechi, Kansas, you lot can practice both. Taking its name from a Scotch term for "where the elders lie," the farm really encompasses iv businesses operating nether the motto "amore, attempt, delight."

Elderslie Farm - Foodie Travel USA

Photo Credit: Visit Wichita

"We're sharing amore for this region," says co-founder George Elder. One of viii children born to a Scotch/German family, he and his sister Alexis founded the farm in 2010 every bit they planted their first blackberries (Alexis has since moved on).  Vegetable crops and woodworks also came early to Elderslie Farm. Beautiful, handcrafted tables that incorporate woods sourced from upwards to fourscore miles abroad—including live-edge slabs—feature wax and linseed-oil finishes.

The farm's robust annual blackberry crops thrive with the apply of cross-arm trellises that dot the berry field. This arrangement allows the fruit to be isolated to one side of the trellises while growing in consistent soil. "Our y'all-pick blackberries selection typically draws eight,000 pickers each summer," says George. In a recent year, the blackberry yield was 8,000 pounds. Guests could then purchase ii pounds of berries for $xvi-19.

Outdoor seating at the farm'southward gourmet Bramble Café has get peculiarly popular during blackberry season. Executive Chef, co-owner, and George's married woman Katharine Elderberry comes from a family with a long history of culinary hospitality. She informs the farm's culinary traditions while overseeing food preparation for the café.

Elderslie Farm Bramble Cafe - Foodie Travel USA

Photo Credit: Lisa Waterman Gray

Menus alter every four to six weeks to reflect the agricultural expanse and showcase its seasonal ingredients. In summertime, you lot may fifty-fifty get a sense of taste of blackberry lime sorbet. Elderslie Farm offered its showtime subcontract-to-table and wine dinners during 2012. As demand grew for year-round dinners, these pop events took over the house that George grew upwards in. (Check the website for upcoming events, which are limited during the pandemic.)

No trip to Elderslie Farm is consummate without a visit to the goat barn and nearby Creamery. Effectually 2022 to 2022 the family introduced 35 Nubian and Saanen goats to the farm. By late May 2021, the property volition firm approximately 55 babe goats and their 42 mamas/milking goats. You can expect these affectionate animals to nuzzle offered easily enthusiastically.

Inside the Creamery, sample gorgeous and luscious goat cheeses that may include Caprino Fresco and Cloudydale (from the chevre cheese family), Cloverdale (a bloomy rind cheese), Feta, and Westfork (a Gouda-manner cheese). Elderslie Farm has a handy cheese chart on its website that describes each cheese while providing tasting, food pairing, and wine pairing notes.

Moo-cow's milk cheese lovers will find new favorites here, too, made with milk from Faye Farms cows in nearby Udall, Kansas. There'south as well Cottonwood Cheddar, a cow milk cheese from Jason Wiebe in Durham, Kansas.

Elderslie Creamery - Foodie Travel USA

Photo Credit: Elderslie Farm

Plan A Trip

Elderslie Farm

3501 E 101st Street
Kechi, Kansas 67147
316-226-8862

Equally of mid-Apr, masking and social distancing are notwithstanding required when visitors are indoors. The Farm is currently open to the public from ix a.grand. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. Summer hours will begin May 22, from 9 a.1000. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.

More Foodie Fun in Nearby Wichita

Corking Nut House

527 St. Francis
Wichita, KS 67214
316-265-0571

Operating for more 60 years, this family-owned snack outpost offers 100+ varieties of raw and flavored nuts, house-made fudge, and archetype sweets such as Butterfinger Minis. Purchase piñatas, Popular Rocks, and 10 pretzel flavors. The Jelly Abdomen flavor selection is one of the largest that y'all will find anywhere.

The Spice Merchant & Co. 

1300 Due east. Douglas
Wichita, KS 67214
316-263-8080

Allow yourself at to the lowest degree an 60 minutes to explore every nook and cranny of this iconic store. Open since 1985, it'due south packed with dozens of java bean choices as well as bulk teas and specialty tea infuser mugs. Check out the massive array of bulk spices too, from extra hot cayenne to Greek oregano and stale cilantro.

Cocoa Dolce Artisan Chocolates

235 North. St. Francis
Wichita, KS 67202
316-854-3121

Cocoa Dolce has been a chocoholic's dream destination since 2005. Handcrafted sweets comprise fine Belgian chocolate from Fair Trade, environmentally-friendly farms. Purchase truffles, alcohol-infused bonbons, and salted caramels, then view the state-of-the-art product facility through large windows inside the Sugariness Lounge.

Where To Stay

Ambassador Hotel Wichita, Shorthand Collection

104 Southward. Broadway
Wichita, KS 67202
316-239-7100

For luxurious downtown stays that are also pet-friendly, spend the night at this renovated vintage hotel, where deep majestic accents decorate spacious guestrooms. Gourmet dining and a wonderful wine listing await visitors inside Siena Tuscan Steakhouse. Guests can also enjoy depression lights, cozy ambience, and archetype cocktails in the basement Dockum bar, which resembles a historic speakeasy and is open Thursday through Saturday evenings.

Drury Plaza Hotel – Broadview Wichita

400 West Douglas Avenue
Wichita, KS 67202
316-262-5000

During 1922, the Broadview Hotel opened abreast the Arkansas River. When the hotel reopened, in 2011, historic touches remained in the grand entrance hall, from large chandeliers to ornate architectural details. A floor-to-ceiling mosaic mural besides remains in the Crystal Ballroom, created by American Indian artist Blackbear Bosin. The renovated property is LEED Certified by the U.Southward. Greenish Building Council.

Detect More

Visit Wichita

Kansas Department of Wild animals, Parks and Tourism

Lisa Waterman Greyness

Contributor

Previously a restaurant cook and a professional baker, likewise every bit a catering and a cooking school assistant, Lisa Waterman Gray has written nutrient-focused stories for dozens of publications for local, national, and international audiences. Based on the Kansas side of the Kansas City expanse, she loves getting a 'sense of taste' of every destination and telling the stories behind those flavors. Acquire more at www.lisawatermangray.com.