Drake Family Farms

I love their cheese, particularly the Manchego style and the flavored Chèvre. Everyone there is always so friendly and helpful with their recommendations.

«Goat cheese manchego!», –that’s what we heard at their stand at the Sunday Farmer’s Market in Santa Monica and it drew our attention. I was really surprised: First of all — Manchego cheese is made from sheep’s milk, never goat, and second of all it has denomination of origin. It’s produced only in Spain, small region there — Castilla La Mancha. And it has a special texture and taste, depending on the time it’s being aged — 3 months, 6, 8, one year, 14 months. There are some types of Pecorino Sardo that have a slight taste similar to Manchego. To call your cheese «Goat cheese Manchego» is the same as you call Jack Daniel’s Tequila or try Goat cheese Roquefort — both name sound the same ridiculous to me. Common: if you make goat cheese aged a little bit it doesn’t make it Manchego. Spanish would have laughed about that!
I wouldn’t start to write all that if that «Goat cheese Manchego» tasted different, if it was somehow better. But compared to «Naked Goat», and «Garrotxa» cheese, or even simple «Drunken goat» — that one was just plain, tasteless, very dry and stale. They also do goat milk soap. So, may be they mixed the technology?! That little tiny piece of firm cheese we’ve got for 11 $. I asked the vendor the price for a pound — he was embarrassed to tell me that. I guess that cause compared to even Bristol Farms or Whole Foods Market that would be sky high. It’s hard to find cheese for over 25 – 30 $ a pound, right?! «Naked goat» is 17 $ a pound roughly there, and «Manchego» about 16 – 19 $. Don’t let them fool yourself giving these beautiful Spanish, French and Italian names to cover the price.
«Apricot and honey» Chevre. Why call it like that?! Then call it «Abricot et miel chevre» or «Apricot and honey Goat cheese»? Or a mix of languages that’s to seem original?! Again: Raw Goat Mozzarella. Do they know what traditional Mozzarella is?! This «raw goat Mozzarella» has nothing to do with Mozzarella at all. Or these funny names they give just to splurge and show off, to draw the customer’s attention, cause they can’t do it with the taste or all the more their prices.
Chavrie or other brand chevres you can but at Bristol Farms, Vons or even Trader Joe’s for 3 – 5 $ for a pack, and some of them even have more volume, like over 5 OZ. A tiny goat milk brie for 10 $?! Is this a joke?! That should cost no more than 5 $! May be «Apricot and honey» chevre is not that bad, but should cost 3 $ or 4 $ for one, not 6 $. For 6 $ you can buy Chavrie and add apricots and honey yourself — will be more authentic and tasteful I tell you that. They can tell you all they want about their beautiful goats and how everything is organic, but believe me: the real Manchego and goat cheese they sell in fine grocery stores here is organic too. Besides, Manchego is imported from Spain and some goat cheese from Spain and France too. And this is just marketing, to find customers who can buy on it.

Teeny tiny mom and pop place worthy of an afternoon tour w kiddo and grandma. You are in CHINO so casual and gym shoes are the uniform. Hot outside so bring sunscreen. The VETERINARIAN and owner gave the tour so knowledgable and transparent about the challenges of goat milking and production. I enjoyed the short tour, goat petting, & cheese tasting w fruit, bread, & water. I bought about 70 $ worth of cheese to freeze and enjoy for later. Will return for more top quality goat cheese– they have raw cheese products too. The tour– just once is enough lol. They are at the farmers market in Claremont on Sunday’s (pricer there than at this farm). There is a place to wash hands before sampling the cheese.

Took their tour today, the tour was very informative and delicious. I purchased some of their cheese to take home.
Drake produced a very rich and creamy cheese, one of the best tasting cheese anywhere.

I bought cheese from them at the Murrieta Farmer’s Market. I go to eat it (after paying $ 14 for two small slices of cheese) and the cheese is not edible. It tasted like the packaging and was terrible.

Best goat cheese ever. Excellent quality and a great array of flavors. The customer service through their website is excellent. I love the Basil Chevere. Hubby loves jalepeno.

This goat cheese is far and away the most addictive I’ve ever had. Kudos to the Drake family for your wonderful product. The jalapeño is fantastic and we are truly addicted to it. But don’t forget all the other flavors — love the French Herb and the Apricot Honey. It’s available through Farmer’s Markets and some Whole Foods stores.

This place has the best goat cheese I have ever tasted. Try the Jalapeño or Apricot. You can find them at the following local Orange County Farmers Markets
Sunday-​Irvine Great Park Farmers’ Market and Laguna Niguel Farmers’ Market
Wednesday-​Tustin Farmers’ Market
Thursday-​Costa Mesa Farmers’ Market and Orange/​Chapman Farmers’ Market
Friday-​Laguna Hills Farmers’ Market