Food, Farms & Wine of West Marin, Marin County, California

Marin Winery's:

Pacheco Winery     Devils Gulch     Pey Marin Vineyards     Point Reyes Vineyards     Ross Valley Winery     Bachuss&Venus

Marin Farms/Producers: 

McEvoy Ranch     Drakes Oyster Farm     Hog Island Oyster Co.     Tomales Bay Oyster Farm     Grass Fed Beef     Cuisine Perel    

Fresh Cheese Co.     Cowgirl Creamery     Giacomini Dairy

Marin County is not only host to luxury homes, great outdoors, and unique boutiques, but to some great organic, agricultural communities.  Most of Marin farms are located in West Marin, along the pacific coast.  This picturesque community, home to some outstanding National Parks such as Pt. Reyes National Seashore, is host to many small towns and organic endeavors.  In fact, Marin is host one of the first organic dairy’s this side of the Mississipi.  Prince Charles of England visited this area just to see and feel how this industry of organics is on the forefront of the environmental movement.   From organic wines, and local cheeses, to Oyster farming, Marin is now known as a gourmet mecca for those into health and the organic slow food movement.  It’s just another one of Marin’s great surprises that impress the soul, body and mind.

Check out this website: http://groups.ucanr.org/GIM/Marin_Farms/ also, scroll below to see a details on farms and winery's.

Marin County Vintners, Descriptions of:

    * Pacheco Ranch Winery:
The whole family, including head winemaker, Jamie Meves, oversees the Pacheco Ranch winemaking process. Meves has 25 years experience and is an award winning winemaker and graduate of the University of California at Davis Fermentation Science program. The winery annually produces around 800 cases of Cabernet Sauvignon. 415.883.5583
            * Website: http://www.pachecoranchwinery.com

    *Devils Gulch Ranch: (organic & some non-organic)

Located on a steep, convoluted hillside adjacent to the Point Reyes Peninsula in Western Marin County, Devil's Gulch grows primarily Pinot Noir grapes, but the vineyards also contain a small amount of Chardonnay, which is used to produce sparkling wine, and a very small amount of Gewurztraminer.  Great wines, full of body and enough tannin for backbone.  Great!

    * Pey Marin Vineyards
Proprietors Jonathan and Susan Pey produce their Marin-grown wines under two labels: Pey-Marin Vineyards (Pinot Noir and Riesling) and Mount Tamalpais Vineyards (Merlot and Vin Gris). 415.455.9463
    Website: http://www.marinwines.com

    * Point Reyes Vineyards
This family owned and operated winery offers an inn and a tasting room featuring Merlot, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Pinot Noir. 12700 Highway One (Point Reyes Station). 415.663.1011
    Website: http://www.ptreyesvineyardinn.com

    * Ross Valley Winery:
Paul Kreider’s winery, which started 20 years ago in a garage, now occupies a prime space in downtown San Anselmo. Each year the neighborhood is invited to help pick grapes and take part in the bottling of the wineries Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Red Blend, Montepulciano, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel-Port, Chardonnay-Port and Walnut-Port. 415.457.5157
Website: http://www.rossvalleywinery.com

    * Bacchus&Venus - http://www.bacchusandvenus.com (415) 331-2001
Experience California Wine Country in the heart of charming downtown Sausalito with a view of the Bay. Taste wines from Napa, Sonoma, and the best California appellations. Learn how the wines are made, the difference between different wines, vineyards, and styles. Wine classes and private parties in our art gallery. Wine and gifts can be shipped to all 50 states

Marin County Farms-  Organic!

 Descriptions of:

    * McEvoy Ranch: Located on 550 acres of rolling hills, the McEvoy Ranch produces extra virgin olive oil in the Tuscan style with a rich, slightly peppery flavor. The olives are grown, harvested, milled and blended on the premises. The ranch includes an Italian olive oil mill, retail store, a two-acre organic garden, and a 42 foot high pavilion, reminiscent of a Chinese pagoda.
 Public tours of the ranch are available by reservation only. Private tours for groups or clubs can also be arranged. The ranch now offers tours of its gardens as well.
Tour Information: 866-617-6779, email tours@mcevoyranch.com or visit www.mcevoyranch.com. Drakes Family Farms Present:

Drakes Bay Oyster Farm West Marin, Tomales Bay: Great!!!! Beautiful!!!
    * Website: http://www.drakesbayfamilyfarms.com/

Hog Island Oyster Company

    * Founded and operated by marine biologists, Hog Island Oyster Company grows and sells more than three million oysters each year.     Hog Island in Tomales Bay produces crisp, juicy, sea-sweet oysters. Hog Island Oyster Company is a working farm.
    * Visitors are allowed on Tuesdays through Sundays between 9am and 5pm Reservations are required to use the small picnic area. $10 per person.
    * Information and reservations: 415-663-9218 x 208 or www.hogislandoyster.com.

Tomales Bay Oyster Company
    * California’s oldest continuously-run shellfish farm is the Tomales Bay Oyster Company. This certified Pacific oyster and mussel farm has been operating in Tomales Bay since 1909. Located five miles north of Pt. Reyes Station, the Tomales Bay Oyster Company is open from 8am-6pm every day. No reservations are needed for its bayside picnic area. Located at 15479 Highway One, Marshall.

    * Information: 415-663-1242 or www.tomalesbayoysters.com.

Drakes Bay Grass Fed Beef:
    * Certified grass raised beef & beef products.
    * Raised in the heart Pt. Reyes Nat'l Seashore.
    * Website: http://www.drakesbayfamilyfarms.com/products/beef.htmlA tour and tasting of various other gourmet food retailers in the region is just as fun as sipping Chardonnays. Furthermore, there's no need for designated driving! http://www.marinorganic.org/mofarmers.html

Cuisine Perel (http://www.cuisineperel.com/)
-specializes in condiments. Not ketchup and pickle relish, but infused oils, dipping sauces, pourable chocolate sauces....

    * You can find their products at upscale food stores nationwide, but if you visit the shop in San Rafael (3100 Kerner Blvd.), they have it all in one place. They are happy to give lectures on Grapeseed Oil, a tasty oil which makes Olive Oil look like Lard, heath-wise.

Marin French Cheese Company: Located just on the Marin-Sonoma border.
    * In business over a century producing French style Brie and Camembert, under the "Rouge et Noir" label. Being in California, they've lost some of the Gallic stiffness and produce a few funky flavored varieties- Pesto, Peppercorn, Jalapeno, Garlic...
Offering periodic free factory tours & tasting room.   Products on sale here, as well as breads, salami, and other makings for a picnic. Take your purchases outside to their barbeque area and enjoy lunch under the trees.
(Directions: Hwy. 101 North to Novato. Take last exit, San Marin Drive. Turn left on San Marin Drive and drive about 2 miles to Novato Blvd. At stop sign, turn right on Novato Blvd. WEST. Drive approx. 7 miles to Petaluma - Pt. Reyes Rd. Turn left and drive about 1/4 mile: 7500 Red Hill Road.
Phone:  (707) 762-6001)

Cowgirl Creamery
    * Located in Point Reyes Station, acts as a distributor for many artisanal cheese producers. They have a mix of cow, sheep and goat cheese. For those who love the latter, try the Humboldt Fog, a semi-firm chevre with a layer of ash in the middle.
    * Contact info: Cowgirl Creamery 80 4th Street, just off Hwy 1.
(415) 663-9335.
Website:http://www.cowgirlcreamery.com/cheeses.asp

Giacomini Dairy, 14700 Hwy 1, Point Reyes Station,
Phone: # (800) 591-6878
    * Website: www.pointreyescheese.com