Manchega breed sheep

Manchega breed sheep, the only breed allowed for the production of Manchego Cheese.

Manchego cheese can only be made with milk from Manchega breed sheep that are listed in the Protected Designation of Origin registers. It cannot be mixed with milk from other animals, not even other breeds of sheep.

Records show that the earliest settlers in La Mancha domesticated the Manchega sheep and improved the breed, not allowing it to mix with other breeds.

This is why it has maintained its original purity and its unusual characteristics, which have remained practically unchanged over the centuries.

Manchega sheep are grazed all year round, taking advantage of the natural resources of the La Mancha region, although their diet is supported by rations of concentrates and other by-products at times of increased nutritional requirements (pregnancy, lactation, etc.). They are grouped into flocks of between 100 and 600, depending on the size of the farm, although flocks of up to 2000 animals can be found.
There are two varieties of Manchega sheep, depending on their coat: the most widespread type is white, with no pigment in the mucous membranes, and the other is black, with light patches on the head and distal parts of their anatomy. The quality of the milk they produce, however, is the same for both varieties.

Manchego Cheese PDO

Address:

Avenida del Vino s/n CP. 13300, Valdepeñas (Ciudad Real - Spain).

Phone:

+34 926 322 666

E-mail:

organizacion@quesomanchego.es