“Cheese Factory” Celebrates 150 Years!

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Cheese pouring technique in early 1900s.

The Marin French Cheese company is kicking off a year-long celebration honoring its 150 years of artisan cheese production. This company could be the longest continuously running cheese business within the U.S.. They still build the exact same common types of Brie and Camembert using the finest dairy from nearby family dairies including ones from Petaluma.

Jim Boyce purchased Marin French Cheese in 1998. After he passed on Marin French was bought by Rians (a French family-owned company of cheese suppliers) in 2011, a respected cheese producer that also owns Laura Chenel’s Chèvre in nearby Sonoma. They have since updated with state-of-the-art cheese production equipment and aging rooms, improved wrappers and brand identification, and updated creamery retail shop promotions of regional foods and picnic fares.

CLICK PAGE 3 BELOW TO CONTINUE TO READ AND LEARN DATES OF THE “CHEESE FACTORY WEEKENDS” AND SEE VIDEOS

4 thoughts on ““Cheese Factory” Celebrates 150 Years!”

  1. Hello Wayne,
    Thanks so much for covering the Marin French 150th Anniversary story. I’d like to mention 2 items that didn’t print correctly: 1) Jim Boyce was not related to the Thompson family but purchased Marin French Cheese from the family in 1998. 2) Rians, the present owner is a family of French cheesemakers, not German.

    Thanks again,
    Lynne Devereux
    PR & Marketing, Marin French Cheese

    1. Lynne, many of our followers, in particular on Facebook, are wondering if tours are or will be available anytime in the near future. You will note that for many of us who grew up in the area have fond childhood memories of the tours.

      1. Hi Wayne,
        In the interest of food safety and to comply with new FDA rules, we’ve had end the public tours of the plant. To help our guests see and understand the cheesemaking process, we’ve made a video that is on display in the retail shop for everyone to enjoy at their leisure. The shop is open 7 days a week from 8:30-5:00 and we invite all our longtime friends and new visitors to take a peek behind the scenes through this new video.

        Thanks,
        Lynne

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