Queso Payoyo
Award-winning goat's and sheep's cheese dairy in Villaluenga del Rosario, in the Sierra de Grazalema, making Payoyo cheeses since 1997, with a factory shop for tasting and buying.
About Queso Payoyo
Queso Payoyo has made cheese in Villaluenga del Rosario since 1997, using milk from the local Payoya goat and the Merino sheep of the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park. Payoyo is a registered brand, not a cheese type; the range covers goat's, sheep's and mixed-milk cheeses of different ages, some coated in rosemary or paprika, plus creams. The firm counts 283 national and international awards, including 17 at the World Cheese Awards in 2018 and best mixed-milk cheese in Spain in 2025.
The factory shop is the place to taste and buy: staff will cut samples of different ages so you can compare the soft young goat's cheese with the firm, nutty cured sheep's cheese. Guided visits have included a production video, a guided tasting and trips to the Las Hazuelas farm to see the herd.
In 2026 the shop's posted hours were Monday to Friday 09:00–14:00 and 15:00–18:00, Saturday 09:00–14:00 and 15:00–17:00 and Sunday 09:00–15:00; entry is free. Scheduled visits and tastings for small groups were suspended after storm damage in the Sierra de Grazalema, and private visits for groups of 15 or more need booking. The dairy is on the main road at the village entrance, with roadside parking, about 1 hour 30 minutes from Jerez.
Villaluenga holds an annual artisan cheese fair; check the dates. Buy a cured sheep's cheese in rosemary to take home; whole small cheeses travel well. Roads in the sierra are winding, so allow extra time.
Queso Payoyo in pictures
What you’ll find
- Car parkParkingFree
- Free entryFree visitFree
- Guided tourWinery or mill tourBook
- ShopProducts to buy (09:00–18:00)Buy
- Step-free accessAccessible visitFree
- TastingTasting sessionBook
Nearby places to visit
The dairy is at the entrance to Villaluenga del Rosario, a few hundred metres from its roofless church and stone bullring. Benaocaz (3 km) and the Salto del Cabrero (4 km), a split limestone cliff on a popular walking route, are close by. Ubrique (6 km) is known for leather goods, and Grazalema (7 km) is the main base for hiking in the natural park. The Cueva de la Pileta (10 km), with prehistoric paintings, takes guided groups. For wine, Bodega Huerta de Albalá near Arcos de la Frontera is 30 km west.
Queso Payoyo at a glance
Category
Food & Wine Wineries & producers
Location
Sierra de Cádiz, Cádiz
Town
Villaluenga del Rosario
Address
Calle Ermita, 14, 11611 Villaluenga del Rosario, Cádiz, Spain
Opening hours
Factory shop posted hours 2026: Monday to Friday 09:00–14:00 and 15:00–18:00; Saturday 09:00–14:00 and 15:00–17:00; Sunday 09:00–15:00. Guided visits for small groups suspended until further notice; groups of 15 or more by booking.
Prices
Free entry to the shop with tasting of cheeses before you buy; guided group visits priced on request.
Checked 5 Nov 2026 on the official website. Times and prices can change, so confirm before you go.
Website
payoyo.com
Phone
+34 956 461 149
More places nearby
Other places within 25 km of Queso Payoyo, nearest first.
