Rooted in Point Reyes since 1938

A century of family farming

From our great-grandfather's dream in Italy to three tenacious sisters transforming their family dairy into an award-winning creamery, Point Reyes Farmstead spans more than 120 years of California agricultural heritage.

The story begins with an immigrant's dream.

1904

Tobia Giacomini immigrates from Northern Italy

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.

1938

Waldo Giacomini establishes his farm in Point Reyes

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.

1959

Bob and Dean Giacomini purchase the dairy

Our parents, Bob and Dean, purchased 710 acres 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.

1990s

A farm at a crossroads

By the mid-1990s, our parents had successfully built the dairy into an operation milking more than 500 cows. Yet changing economic realities made it clear that a herd of that size was not sustainable. The demands on the land and our small team had become too great.

We needed to reimagine what this farm could be.

2000

The daughters launch Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co.

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, the family 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.

2010

The Fork opens as a culinary and educational center

The Fork is more than a destination for tours, tastings, and events; it is a place where guests connect with the people, animals, and land that make our cheeses possible. Through authentic agritourism experiences, we share the values of sustainable dairy farming and the traditions of artisan cheesemaking to inspire a deeper understanding of where food comes from and why it matters.

2018

Petaluma expansion

Our state-of-the-art Petaluma facility, 22 miles east in Sonoma County, marked 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, has allowed us to meet growing demand while maintaining quality. Original Blue production remains at our creamery on the farm in Point Reyes.

cheese production building at sunset
2026

Looking to the Future

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.