“Experience a cheese-making weekend”
3 Day Cheese Making Weekend in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania
The Mercersburg Inn, 405 South Main Street, Mercersburg, PA 17236, USA
Cooking Vacations USA
Spend a weekend in this amazing bed and breakfast hotel and enjoy the magnificent surroundings of a turn-of-the-century Georgian mansion on six and a half acres of terraced lawns. Join Dr. Larry and Linda Faillace of Vermont's “Three Shepherds Cheese” program at The Mercersburg Inn for a fun and informative weekend of cheese making! As the program’s name promises, you will learn how to prepare three famous kinds of cheese: Feta, Ricotta, and Mozzarella. All hands-on!
Meet the instructors
Dr. Larry and Linda Faillace
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Highlights
- Hands-on cheese-making lessons
- Cheese tasting and wine pairing lunch
- Opportunity to bring some cheese home
- Cheeses made by you will be used by the inn’s chef
- Lunch based on your creations
- 2 nights accommodation
- Daily breakfast
3 days with instruction
Accommodation
Mercersburg Inn is located just a morning's drive from Washington DC, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Pittsburgh. The decorative tile, oak flooring, double-curving wrought-iron balustrades, scagliola columns, and the mahogany and chestnut paneling are all original to the house. The 17 rooms in the main house and carriage house include 4 different types of rooms ranging from standard to extravagant. Byron's Dining Room is the Mercersburg Inn's fine dining restaurant. Seating is from 17:30 to 20:30 Thursday thru Saturday and from 17:00 to 20:00 on Sunday.
Standard rooms
The three quaint standard rooms are bright and cozy with comfy queen beds.
Garden view: Crisp and bright in blue and white, this sunny corner room features a queen bed and a small bath with a shower. Overlooking the inn’s back gardens, it offers a quiet and tranquil repose.
Lavender room: Featuring exquisite antique prints of fruits and vegetables, this luminous room gleams with lavender and white accents. An antique armoire and private bath complete the intimate atmosphere.
Nanny’s room: Sunlit and inviting, this quaint and colorful room was once the restful refuge for the Byron’s nanny. Features include a queen featherbed, antique bureau, and a small, private bath with shower.
Deluxe rooms
Plush queen beds and added amenities distinguish these two lovely deluxe rooms.
Sitting room offers a queen bed tucked into a cozy alcove and a large, separate sitting area with an antique love seat and desk. Perfect for business travelers or guests seeking distinct sleeping and lounging spaces, this fetching room also offers a private bath and walk-in closet.
School room: Once a classroom for the Byron’s sons, this alcove now serves as a country hideaway. A hand-stitched quilt drapes over the queen bed, and a private bath and dressing area complete the homey atmosphere.
Superior rooms
With special touches and soft king beds, these seven superior rooms offer pampering comfort.
Academy view: Featuring a canopied king bed and large, antique bureau, this gracious corner room looks out on the stunning spires of Mercersburg Academy’s chapel. An overstuffed love seat graces the sitting area, and a large walk-in closet leads to the private bath with a modern tub and shower combination.
Dressing room: Featuring a canopied king bed, private bath, and magnificent views of the Tuscarora Mountains from the private balcony, this open, airy room is awash in soft, subtle tones.
Ione’s room: The former sanctuary of the mistress of the house, this pleasant room presents a king canopied bed, queen-size sofa bed, and a huge bath with an old-fashioned soaking tub and separate marble shower.
Julia’s repose: Soft blue and yellow tones take center stage on the canopied king bed and in the spacious bath, which features an antique dressing table and an old-fashioned soaking tub with shower.
The loft: Secluded and soothing, this two-room suite offers a king canopied bed and a graceful antique love seat. A multi-paned window adds architectural flair to the additional loft bedroom, where a twin-bed with a matching trundle doubles the sleeping space. Perfect for families or friends traveling together, this room also features a small, private bath with a shower.
Tidd’s room: This charming room was once the scheming and dreaming place for the Byron’s youngest son, Tidd. Replete with country antiques, the ample interior features a king canopied bed, leather recliner, and private bath. A second door leads to a balcony.
Vaughn’s room: Dressed in timeless black and white toile, this delightful space features a walk-in closet, a king bed and private bath with a modern tub and shower combination.
Extravagant rooms
Featuring sumptuous king beds and fireplaces, these three extravagant rooms offer the ultimate in luxury!
Marie Claire: With a large, lovely fireplace and a private, covered balcony, this sun-filled room is an inn favorite. Soft light streams onto the window seat a perfect place to curl up with a book. A charming sofa bed in the sitting area, leather recliner, king canopied bed, and private bath make this room a perfect peaceful haven.
Prospect view: Once the private retreat of Harry Byron, Prospect View is now the inn’s most spacious room with a king canopied bed, private balcony, and grand fireplace. Original tile floors and fixtures grace the enormous bathroom, which features an old-fashioned soaking tub and separate marble shower.
Romantic retreat: Private and romantic, this large suite is tucked away in an upstairs corner, perfect for honeymooners or those romantically inclined! A see-through fireplace casts a warm glow over both bedroom and bathroom. A whirlpool tub for two, king poster bed, and cozy window seat complete the secluded setting.
The Carriage House rooms
A few steps from the main house is the Carriage House, built in 1909. The newly renovated upper floor contains two rooms with individually controlled heating and air-conditioning and private baths with Jacuzzi tubs. Although the construction is new, the furnishings are of a period matching those in the main house. Here, you will find the same luxurious feather-beds, down quilts, and plush pillows guests have come to expect from The Mercersburg Inn.
Program
Join Dr. Larry and Linda Faillace of Vermont's Three Shepherds Cheese at The Mercersburg Inn for a weekend of fun and informative cheesemaking!
Three Shepherds' cheeses and cheesemaking classes have been featured in numerous publications and television shows including: "Food Finds” on the Food Network, Martha Stewart Television, "Gourmet," "Cooking Light," "Ski Magazine," "Elle," and "Travel and Leisure," to name a few. Linda and Larry’s cheesemaking adventures have taken them across the United States, and they were the first to teach traditional artisan cheesemaking techniques in Bermuda and Belize.
Itinerary
Day 1, Friday
Cheese students arrive for a weekend of fun and delicious activities. Included in the course is the "Three Shepherds Artisanal Cheesemaking Manual" complete with lots of fascinating cheese information and all the necessary recipes for the weekend. During the evening hours, Larry and Linda will lead a short introductory discussion followed by the starting of two kinds of cheese. These cheeses require a full night of incubation and transformation into curds and whey.
Day 2, Saturday
Class begins after breakfast and includes a full day of hands-on cheesemaking along with discussions of the history and discovery of cheesemaking, the principles of artisan cheesemaking, the types of milk needed for cheesemaking (as well as those to be avoided), and the tools and ingredients required for the foolproof creation of delicious cheeses at home. You will complete the soft-ripened cheese and Quark begun on Friday evening, make a batch of Feta, as well as some whole milk Ricotta.
The Faillaces will also work with the class to make their signature lunch, based on the morning’s activities.
The class will also provide cheese to the Inn’s chef, to be incorporated into the optional Saturday evening meal.
On Saturday evening, there will be an optional four-course dinner with wine using some of the cheeses made during the Saturday class (50 USD, including tax and gratuity).
Day 3, Sunday
Another day of cheesemaking begins after Sunday breakfast. Students will complete the cheeses made on Saturday, including a discussion and demonstration of salting and brining. The class will also make the always popular fresh Mozzarella, as well as whey Ricotta.
The highlight of Sunday is Linda’s cheese tasting and wine pairing lunch. Lunch is like a class of its own in cheese appreciation, pairing, and serving, and includes a wonderful array of select cheeses. Upon completion of the class, students will have the opportunity to take several cheeses home with them and the knowledge and skill to make them at home.
Instructors
Dr. Larry and Linda Faillace
Linda and Larry, along with their three children, Francis, Heather, and Jackie, began a family farm enterprise located in the heart of Vermont's beautiful Green Mountains in 1993. They are committed to sustainable practices and quality artisanal products with a focus on cheese. Larry and Linda are passionate cheeseophiles and food enthusiasts. Over the past eighteen years they have taught the art and science of cheesemaking to nearly 3000 students from around the world.
Location
This retreat will take place in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, USA.
Nearby places
- Downtown - 8 minutes
Food
During the holiday, you will learn all about cheesemaking including the ingredients, process, and learn some useful tips from Larry and Linda Faillace of Vermont's Three Shepherds Cheese. You will learn how to make fresh Mozzarella, as well as Feta and Ricotta.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
If you have special dietary requirements it's a good idea to communicate it to the organiser when making a reservation
Things to do (optional)
- Cowans Gap State Park has hiking trails, a lake with a sandy beach for swimming, paddle and rowboat rentals, fishing, and a concession stand. The innkeepers will happily provide beach towels and even pack you a picnic lunch with 24-hour advance notice
- Explore Franklin county
- Pachallina of Long Acres farm - downtown Mercersburg
- Summer Theater - 30 minutes away
- Tee off at your choice of three 18-hole championship golf courses - all less than 15 minutes away: Whitetail golf resort, Great Cove golf club and Greencastle Green golf club
- The Pennsylvania Opry at The Star Theater in Mercersburg is located a short walk from the Inn
- Tuscarora Trail runs through nearby Buchanan's Birthplace State Park. A bypass to the Appalachian Trail, the Tuscarora Trail follows the crest of the Tuscarora Mountains and offers day hikers one of the most striking treks in Pennsylvania
- Visit Hagerstown for The Hagerstown Suns baseball field, skydiving, shopping at Prime Outlets, skiing, and several museums - 25 minutes away
- Visit Hershey Park for roller coasters and water rides - 2.5 hours away
- Visit Lancaster County for traditional farms, food and craft markets, restaurants, and museums - 2 hours away
- Weekend wine tasting and pairing dinners
- You have the possibility of adding various packages to your booking: Romance package, in-room massage, one dozen roses, champagne, and chocolates or wine and chocolate
What's included
- 2 cheese making classes
- 2 lunches, one with wine
- 2 nights accommodation
- Daily breakfast
What's not included
- Saturday 4-course dinner with wine using some of the cheeses made during the class (USD 50 including tax and gratuity)
- Taxes
- Airfare
- Airport transfers
How to get there
Recommended Airports
IAD
Washington Dulles International Airport
104 km
Transfer not provided
BWI
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport
128 km
Transfer not provided
HGR
Hagerstown Regional Airport (Richard A. Henson Field)
19 km
Transfer not provided
Driving directions from Baltimore
- Take Highway 70 west past Fredrick.
- At Hagerstown, MD, take Interstate 81 north into Pennsylvania. Once you cross the Pennsylvania state line, the exit numbers will start over.
- Take exit 5 at Greencastle, PA.
- At the bottom of the off-ramp, make a left onto Highway 16. Travel through Greencastle and on to Mercersburg (approximately 11 miles).
- When you approach Mercersburg, look for a sign for the Mercersburg Academy on the right and a cemetery on the left. You will then see a junction sign for Route 75. Turn left onto 75.
- Turn right into The Mercersburg Inn parking lot.
Driving directions from Washington, DC
- Take Highway 270 to Highway 70 west and follow the directions from Baltimore.
- From Points East via the Pennsylvania Turnpike
- Take the Carlisle exit and follow the signs to Interstate 81 south.
- Travel south to Greencastle on Interstate 81 and take exit 5.
- Make a right at the bottom of the off-ramp onto Highway 16. Travel through Greencastle and on to Mercersburg (approximately 11 miles).
- When you approach Mercersburg, look for a sign for the Mercersburg Academy on the right and a cemetery on the left. You will then see a junction sign for Route 75. Turn left onto 75.
- Turn right into The Mercersburg Inn parking lot.
Driving directions from Points West via the Pennsylvania Tumpike
- Take exit 13, to Fort Littleton.
- Go south on Route 522 to McConnellsburg.
- In McConnellsburg, make a left onto Route 16 east. Mercersburg is approximately 12 miles from McConnellsburg. When you arrive in Mercersburg you will be at the west end of town where Highway 16 and Highway 75 join. Travel through Mercersburg.
- At the top of a small hill, 16 and 75 split. Stay to the right on Route 75.
- The Mercersburg Inn driveway is on the right just after 16 and 75 split.
Driving directions from New York
- Take Highway 78 west to Interstate 81 south.
- Travel south to Greencastle and take exit 5.
- Make a right at the bottom of the off ramp onto Highway 16. Travel through Greencastle and on to Mercersburg (approximately 11 miles).
- When you approach Mercersburg, look for a sign for the Mercersburg Academy on the right and a cemetery on the left. You will then see a junction sign for Route 75. Turn left onto 75.
- Turn right into The Mercersburg Inn parking lot.
Arrival by airplane
- Arrive at one of these 3 airports:
- Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI) - 90 minutes
- Dulles International Airport (IAD) in Washington DC - 90 minutes
- Hagerstown Regional Airport (HGR) in Maryland served by Cape Air - 25 minutes
- - Distances
- Closest regional airport - 25 minutes
- Closest international airport - 90 minutes
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 50% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through Tripaneer.com. All major credit cards supported.
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