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Patty Karlin is a warm, wonderful person who raises goats and makes cheese on her farm. The farm is a fabulous example of how to transition between conventional and organic practices. It is a constantly evolving project to which Patty is very dedicated and enjoys a large measure of success. Her use of solar, water cachement, tree cropping, and rotational grazing systems, all aspects of permaculture and sustainability, is remarkable. She is interested in teaching what she has learned and offers 2 hour eco-tours that include a cheese tasting. Good for the planet and yummy, too! On my mid-December visit, most of the goats were dry because they were pregnant. I toured the farm, met her border colly, pet some yearlings, and thought seriously about becoming an apprentice and living in the yurt for a year to learn how the dairy worked and make cheese....at year's end, I am still in San Francisco, but dreaming of an alternate life on a Bodega dairy farm! On that first visit, Patty offered delicious samples of goat and cow's* milk yogurt, queso fresco (feta), and queso crema (chevre). I recommend you take the tour if you are curious about farms, especially sustainable ones, and like goat cheese. Wear shoes or boots that you wouldn't mind getting muddy and dress in layers if winter...bring your own rain gear as needed. I am looking forward to my next visit. *San Benoit also rents the dairy a couple days and makes their yummy cow's milk yogurt in the tan orange crock on the premises.
I would suggest people take the previous review from Gail with a grain of salt. She has only had two reviews on yelp and both are very negative. This is not a Hilton, this is AirBnB/ farmstay and you are staying at a farm, so do expect animal noises, dirt and some spiders once in awhile. It is a duplex but you have your own entrance and Patty was gone most of the time as were we. Also - yes, the Casino is not a 5 star restaurant, it is a small pub that is in a town that is smaller than the average block in San Francisco (literally) so don't expect to have a red carpet when you arrive. You're paying for the farm experience in a small town and that is exactly what you are getting.The town has some small shops we did not have enough time to go to which include a yoga studio, antiques, a church, etc. Patty's farm is currently in the process of being upgraded but even during the quiet rebuilding they are doing it was well worth it if you like animals, watching the sun rise from your room and the fog roll over the hills when you wake up. While we did not get an official tour nor breakfast at the farm it was a wonderful place to stay. There are ducks, 2 hilarious billy goats (warning, male goats give off a smell so wash well after), a pack of female goats running around in the bigger pen that are very friendly as well, a chick, hens and a rooster who was a refreshing alarm clock to wake up to instead of a smart phone. The pond was drained and there was no goat milking, but the rest of the animals' personalities well made up for everything. Patty is incredibly nice and I would love to stay here again.
Absolutely amazing experience at Bodega Goat Cheese Farm. Patty Karlin is as knowledgeable and friendly as they come. A small group of us went on a private tour with Patty on a bachelorette weekend, and it was hands down the highlight of our trip. For the tour, we started out talking to Patty about her passion for the goats, living off the land, organic and natural living, and her many travels which influenced the styles of cheese she makes. Then we toured the property, saw the goats and barns, organic garden and ducks, and cheese making area. Following the tour, we were served seven different cheeses to taste paired with various fruits, veggies, and jams. The cheese she makes is some of the best I've tasted, everyone in our group left with at least one of each. I recommend this to people of all ages - anyone who loves food, wine, cheese, and animals will have an incredible experience with Patty at the farm. I'd give it ten stars if I could. :)
3 years ago
For starters, this place is rather difficult to find. The turnoff sign is quite inconspicuous . We came for the farm tour and cheese tasting and I left feeling underwhelmed but optimistic better days were to come. Patty, the tour guide spoke about the history and her Peruvian partner's substantial impact on the business. She led us down the road to see the chickens, pigs, and goats and encouraged us to peek through the window of the factory, though it was close to the public because it had to stay sanitized. Not as educational as I had hoped Despite being an unusually warm day Patty insisted we do the cheese tasting outside. We tried 5 different types, and oddly I preferred the cows milk cheese despite her specialty being goats milk. I also wasn't enthused about having the tasting on an unstable picnic table surrounded by an endless number of flies we struggled to fight off, and the cheese was steadily melting. Not what I pictured for a cheese tasting. With some additional resources this place could be spectacular. read more
1 year ago
19 years ago
Patty Karlin is a warm, wonderful person who raises goats and makes cheese on her farm. The farm is a fabulous example of how to transition between conventional and organic practices. It is a constantly evolving project to which Patty is very dedicated and enjoys a large measure of success. Her use of solar, water cachement, tree cropping, and rotational grazing systems, all aspects of permaculture and sustainability, is remarkable. She is interested in teaching what she has learned and offers 2 hour eco-tours that include a cheese tasting. Good for the planet and yummy, too! On my mid-December visit, most of the goats were dry because they were pregnant. I toured the farm, met her border colly, pet some yearlings, and thought seriously about becoming an apprentice and living in the yurt for a year to learn how the dairy worked and make cheese....at year's end, I am still in San Francisco, but dreaming of an alternate life on a Bodega dairy farm! On that first visit, Patty offered delicious samples of goat and cow's* milk yogurt, queso fresco (feta), and queso crema (chevre). I recommend you take the tour if you are curious about farms, especially sustainable ones, and like goat cheese. Wear shoes or boots that you wouldn't mind getting muddy and dress in layers if winter...bring your own rain gear as needed. I am looking forward to my next visit. *San Benoit also rents the dairy a couple days and makes their yummy cow's milk yogurt in the tan orange crock on the premises. read more
10 years ago
I would suggest people take the previous review from Gail with a grain of salt. She has only had two reviews on yelp and both are very negative. This is not a Hilton, this is AirBnB/ farmstay and you are staying at a farm, so do expect animal noises, dirt and some spiders once in awhile. It is a duplex but you have your own entrance and Patty was gone most of the time as were we. Also - yes, the Casino is not a 5 star restaurant, it is a small pub that is in a town that is smaller than the average block in San Francisco (literally) so don't expect to have a red carpet when you arrive. You're paying for the farm experience in a small town and that is exactly what you are getting.The town has some small shops we did not have enough time to go to which include a yoga studio, antiques, a church, etc. Patty's farm is currently in the process of being upgraded but even during the quiet rebuilding they are doing it was well worth it if you like animals, watching the sun rise from your room and the fog roll over the hills when you wake up. While we did not get an official tour nor breakfast at the farm it was a wonderful place to stay. There are ducks, 2 hilarious billy goats (warning, male goats give off a smell so wash well after), a pack of female goats running around in the bigger pen that are very friendly as well, a chick, hens and a rooster who was a refreshing alarm clock to wake up to instead of a smart phone. The pond was drained and there was no goat milking, but the rest of the animals' personalities well made up for everything. Patty is incredibly nice and I would love to stay here again. read more
10 years ago
14 years ago
Absolutely amazing experience at Bodega Goat Cheese Farm. Patty Karlin is as knowledgeable and friendly as they come. A small group of us went on a private tour with Patty on a bachelorette weekend, and it was hands down the highlight of our trip. For the tour, we started out talking to Patty about her passion for the goats, living off the land, organic and natural living, and her many travels which influenced the styles of cheese she makes. Then we toured the property, saw the goats and barns, organic garden and ducks, and cheese making area. Following the tour, we were served seven different cheeses to taste paired with various fruits, veggies, and jams. The cheese she makes is some of the best I've tasted, everyone in our group left with at least one of each. I recommend this to people of all ages - anyone who loves food, wine, cheese, and animals will have an incredible experience with Patty at the farm. I'd give it ten stars if I could. :) read more
11 years ago
It should be noted that the location of this place on yelp may be incorrect. It is not located in town but, rather, about 1 mile from town. We loved our stay with Patty. The sleeping quarters were clean and sufficient. And we got to milk the goats in the morning with Patty! A very fun and memorable stay. read more
14 years ago
13 years ago
17 years ago
14 years ago
More info about Bodega Ranch
Bodega, CA 94922
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(707) 799-6470
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http://www.bodegaranch.net
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