Our Story: A True California Original
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Sacramento valley’s finest farmstead cheese
Our Story: A True California Original
As a 3rd generation dairyman, Tim Pedrozo has been around the farm for quite a
while. He and his wife, Jill, started out with 60 cows in Merced, California selling milk to other producers. They
were very passionate about dairy but knew they wanted to provide something more than milk, such as butter,
yogurt or cheese. They wanted to transform their milk into something creamy and delicious.
In the fall of 1998 they received an opportunity to visit Orland, California. Looking to tour a farm for sale, they
were pleasantly surprised to see a proper farmstead cheese-making operation on the property. It was
serendipitous and they absolutely couldn’t turn it down. The farm was a beautiful place and offered everything
a fledgling cheese company could want. There was a production room, an aging room and of course, a special
recipe which the owners happily shared once the Pedrozos decided to buy the farm and keep it all going.
On New Year’s Eve in 1998, Pedrozo took a chance, along with a trailer full of cows, and left Merced to head up
to Orland and start Pedrozo Dairy and Cheese Co. The family, including his wife Jill and their children Tom,
Laura, and Mandy, followed the next day and on January 1st, 1999 they were ready to become Sacramento
Valley’s finest farmstead cheese
company.
They had to learn the process and it took
some time to adjust the recipe (it doesn’t
stray too far from the original), but
they’ve discovered what works best for
them. The production and aging rooms
have been updated and expanded but
otherwise things look a lot like they did
back when they first came up all those
years ago.
Tour the Farm
Contact: Tim Pedrozo Email: tim@realfarmsteadcheese.com Phone: 530-514-3837
Sacramento valley’s finest farmstead cheese
Our Mission and Vision
The mission of Pedrozo Dairy and Cheese Co. is about taking good care of the things
that matter most. It is to inspire a vision of premier, ecological, heritage farming through a sustainable
family-run, grass-fed dairy and cheese operation. This is achieved through adhering to the following goals:
-Producing high quality, traditional farmstead cheese
-Offering education, tours, and being a resource for the dairy industry
-Commitment of respect for the cows and the land
On the dairy, the cows, or “ladies” as they’re lovingly called, are respected and receive treatment which reflects
that. They graze on pasture year round and don’t have any grain in their diet, creating an environment that is
most natural for them. Great cheese comes from great milk and the 100 percent grass-fed milk is rich with the
seasonal flavors of the pasture. Being gentle stewards of the environment is a top priority on the farm.
Creating a high-quality product that stays
true to its local roots is something that
won’t be compromised. The choice to make
a farmstead product means that every
aspect of the process is looked after
carefully. From milking the cows to hand-
packaging the cheese, special attention is
given every step of the way. Local products
are used for certain flavored cheeses which
enhances the aspect of enriching and giving
back to the Sacramento Valley.
A robust value of community makes everything worthwhile. Whether it’s meeting customers at the farmer’s
market or making a delivery to a local retailer, sharing the process and final product with people in the
community is a truly rewarding experience that drives the company every day.
These three distinct areas of focus and appreciation shape the vision of Pedrozo Dairy and Cheese Co.; to
facilitate the growth of sustainable agriculture while sustaining a business that promotes its principles.
Contact: Tim Pedrozo Email: tim@realfarmsteadcheese.com Phone: 530-514-3837
Sacramento valley’s finest farmstead cheese
Products
Black Butte Reserve is a premium cheese, aged at least 6 months and
made only during spring when the grasses are lush. The creamy, robust
cheese boasts flavors that are sharp and grassy. A creamy texture makes it
particularly delicious for fondue and macaroni and cheese. It pairs quite
nicely with a meaty red wine and also goes nicely with Port, which brings
out caramel notes in the cheese.
Northern Gold is where it all began. The buttery original. The name
comes from the lovely golden color of the cheese; the flavors are smooth
and nutty. A perfect snacking cheese. Enjoy it sliced on a sandwich,
melted on a burger or shredded in a salad. It’s also a real treat to enjoy
slices along with your favorite full-bodied microbrew.
Garlic and Herb is a tried-and-true customer favorite! The name says it
all. The garlic really comes through without overpowering and the savory
flavor of the herbs permeates every bite. This cheese works well when
melted over chicken parmesan or makes an easy garlic-cheese bread.
Peppercorn offers whole black peppercorns studded throughout the
cheese. The warm, fruity spice goes beautifully with the buttery texture
and it’s fun to crunch into each little nugget of pepper. It makes an
excellent addition to a Reuben sandwich and is surprisingly delicious
when served with strawberries.
Sweet Italian Red Pepper has a little bit of sizzle mixed with the sweet
creaminess of the cheese. There’s some heat but it isn’t overbearing and
lends a subtle kick to grilled sandwiches, soups, tacos, nachos and
anything else that needs a bit of zing!
Tartufello is a very unique cheese and a true gem of our collection. Black
truffle specks are plentiful in each piece and deliver an earthy,
mushroomy flavor. It’s a cheese that will elevate any dish it’s added to.
Decadent and elegant.
Blondie’s Best is named after the cow who made our very first batch of
cheese. The resulting product was mild, slightly sweet and tangy. We still
make this cheese today and are happy to offer it in a two pound wheel.
Stout Cow takes a nice long bath in Sierra Nevada Stout before aging
which infuses it with a yeasty flavor and provides a beautiful golden rind.
Available as a two pound wheel.
Tipsy Cow is washed in Mount Tehama’s Petite Sirah which imparts a
fruity spice to the cheese and a lovely purple color to the rind. Available as
a two pound wheel.
Contact: Tim Pedrozo Email: tim@realfarmsteadcheese.com Phone: 530-514-3837
Sacramento valley’s finest farmstead cheese
Fact Sheet
Pedrozo Dairy and Cheese Co. make raw-milk cheese which means the milk is not
pasteurized by heating it. Using raw milk produces more flavorful cheese because
the milk better retains the taste of the grasses the cows graze on. All cheeses are
aged at least 60 days.
The cheese texture is semi-hard, which means moisture is pressed out during
production and it becomes more and more firm as it ages. Semi-hard cheese is
great for snacking and for using in most recipes. It has a creamy quality and
melts extremely well.
Cheese is soaked in brine (saltwater solution) before beginning the aging process
which means it’s considered a washed-rind cheese. The rind protects the cheese
during aging and helps flavors develop.
The cows are 100 percent grass fed and have absolutely no grain in their diet.
They enjoy the seasonal grasses of the pasture and those flavors come through in
the cheese. The Black Butte Reserve is a prime example of this because it’s made
only during spring when the grasses are particularly lush, producing a sharp and
tangy cheese with grassy notes.
The soaked cheeses, Stout Cow and Tipsy Cow, are soaked in Sierra Nevada Stout
and Mount Tehama’s Petite Sirah, respectively.
Farmsteading means everything about the production of the cheese, from the
cows’ diet to the packaging, is handled on the farm in Orland, CA. All the steps of
the process receive special care and attention. Nothing is outsourced.
The selections include Blondie’s Best, Northern Gold (original flavor), Garlic and
Herb, Sweet Italian Red Pepper, Peppercorn, Tartufello (black truffle), Black
Butte Reserve (premium aged cheese – at least 6 months), Stout Cow and Tipsy
Cow.
Currently, we are using traditional single-strain animal rennet.
Contact: Tim Pedrozo Email: tim@realfarmsteadcheese.com Phone: 530-514-3837
Sacramento valley’s finest farmstead cheese
In the Media, Notable Mentions and Awards
Pedrozo Dairy and Cheese Co. has been given the distinct honor and pleasure of
being covered in the media, receiving inclusion in popular books, and accepting awards for producing a
superior product. Click on the links to explore the details.
See Inside... Watch the Episode
Read the Article
Black Butte Reserve
Gold Medal Winner ~ 2007 California State
Fair Read the Article
~ Aged Hard Cheese Category
Selected to participate in Sacramento Farmers and Chefs: A Photo
Essay by Janine Mapurunga. The project was devoted to
showcasing farmers and chefs in the Sacramento Valley who
contribute to its growing and diverse food culture.
Contact: Tim Pedrozo Email: tim@realfarmsteadcheese.com Phone: 530-514-3837
Sacramento valley’s finest farmstead cheese
Connect with Us
In Person:
~Certified Farmers’ Markets~
Chico Farmers’ Market
305 Wall St., Chico, CA Would You Like to Tour the Farm?
Saturdays from 7:30am – 1:00pm
Visiting the farm is great for…
Sacramento Farmers’ Market
8th and W St., Sacramento, CA Teaching children and students about where their food
Sundays from 8:00am – 12:00pm comes from
Oak Park Farmers’ Market Learning about what farmsteading is and how it works
35th and 5th Ave., Sacramento, CA Discovering how our cheese is made from start to finish
Saturdays from 9:00am – 1:00pm
To find out more and set an appointment:
Seasonal Markets:
Chavez Plaza Downtown Farmers’ Market Call ~ 530.514.3837
10th and J St., Sacramento, CA Email ~ tim@realfarmsteadcheese.com
Wednesdays from 10:00am – 1:30pm
May through October
Glenn County Farmers’ Market
Library Park @ 4th and Mill St., Orland, CA
Thursdays from 9:00am – 1:00pm
May 29th – September 25th
Like Us on Facebook
Check out our blog The Accidental Cheesemakers here
How to Purchase:
Follow Us on Instagram
Check with your favorite retailer to see if they
carry our cheese. If they don’t, please consider
requesting it.
Order through our website here
Williams-Sonoma ~ available online here
Find Us on Pinterest
Follow Us on Twitter
Contact: Tim Pedrozo Email: tim@realfarmsteadcheese.com Phone: 530-514-3837
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