Rooted in Point Reyes since 1938
From our great-grandfather's dream in Italy to three sisters transforming their family dairy into an award-winning creamery, Point Reyes Farmstead spans more than 120 years of California agricultural heritage.
Our great-grandfather, Tobia Giacomini, left Northern Italy with a dream of farming California's legendary fertile lands. That vision would shape our family's identity for generations to come.
Tobia's son, Waldo, moved to West Marin and began farming in Point Reyes. His son, Bob, grew up on the land, developing a deep love of dairy farming, the community and the commitment to quality that would define our family's legacy.
Our parents, Bob and Dean, purchased our dairy farm overlooking Tomales Bay and began producing milk for the local creamery. This purchase marked the second chapter of what would become four generations of farming in the region and the origin of Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co.
By the mid-1990s, our father had built the dairy into an operation of more than 500 cows. Yet changing economic realities made it clear that a herd of that size could not be sustainably supported on 710 acres of Marin coastal farmland. The demands on the land and our small team had become too great.
We needed to reimagine what this farm could be.
Driven by a deep commitment to the land, the Giacomini daughters returned to the farm and together with their parents, reimagined its future. They made the courageous decision to reduce the herd, easing the farm's environmental footprint while creating greater value from every gallon of milk. In August 2000, they introduced the first wheels of Original Blue, California's only classic-style blue cheese, proving that thoughtful stewardship of the land could create a more sustainable future for both agriculture and the environment.
The Fork is more than a destination for tours, tastings, and events; it is a place where guests can connect with the people, animals, and land that make our cheeses possible. Through authentic agritourism experiences, we are sharing the values of sustainable agriculture and the traditions of artisan cheesemaking while inspiring a deeper understanding of where food comes from and why it matters.
Our state-of-the-art Petaluma facility, 22 miles east in Sonoma County, marks an exciting new chapter for Point Reyes Farmstead, expanding our capacity to bring more of our cheese to customers near and far. The opening of the second creamery including aging rooms, packaging, and a distribution warehouse, allows us to meet growing demand while maintaining quality. Original Blue production remains at our creamery on the farm in Point Reyes.
Over a quarter century of cheesemaking. A legacy over 100 years in the making.
Now in our fourth generation, we remain guided by our great-grandfather, Tobia's, dream: to farm California's legendary lands with integrity, produce the highest quality cheese, and leave the land even better for those who follow.
