Menu
Central Valley
Nicolau Farms
The Nicolau Family has been dairy farming in Stanislaus County since the early 1900’s when Jose Nicolau left the small island of Flores in the Azores to seek a better life. With him he brought a passion for Family, Farming, and Food, as did all Portugese immigrants.Eventually he would establish his dairy farm in the Westport District just outside the town of Modesto, California; in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley.
Over a century later Walter Nicolau III started off on a new venture when he was just twenty years old,with one goat. Today he milks about 200 mostly Alpine goats on his Modesto farm and produces 15 cheeses, including several flavored fresh chevres and a flavored firm gouda-style cheese studded with peppercorns called Christened Quattro Pepe. Some are made purely from goat’s milk and others are blended with cow milk.
“We turn grass into milk into cheese into happiness,” Walter says with a smile.
Tours
How to Book: Email or call to set up an appointment.
Cost: $30/person, $120 minimum
All tours and tastings at Central Coast Creamery are private and by prior appointment only. Your guided tour and tasting will last approximately one hour. The tour will take you through the Nicolau Farmstead including the cheesemaking facility and into the ripening room where you will sample their award winning cheese. Private tours and tastings are $125 for small groups less than three (3). $30 per person for groups of four-twelve (4 - 12). Groups larger than twelve (12) are $20 per person. To make a tour and tasting appointment, please email or call.
Kinds of Cheese
Cow's Milk
Goat's Milk