Bordessa Family Dairies, which includes Bordessa Dairy and Ocean Breeze Dairy, brings a five-generation legacy of pasture-based dairy farming to Straus Family Creamery’s network. Located near Valley Ford in Sonoma County, the Bordessa family’s roots trace back to Switzerland and Italy, where their ancestors herded cows through the Alps, milking them by hand. Today, Gary and Sandy Bordessa, alongside their sons, Gino and Jarrid, and their families, carry on that rich dairy farming tradition.
The Bordessas manage 2,700 organic acres of land, perfectly suited for pasture. The cool-season grasses — rye, clovers, and legumes — thrive without irrigation, creating a nutrient-rich feed for the cows. Rotational grazing keeps the pastures healthy, with cows moved between fields to allow the grasses to rest and regrow. Cover crops enhance biodiversity, and no-till methods are used whenever possible to protect soil health. In 2020, the family completed a creek restoration project, planting 550 native trees and shrubs to capture carbon and support wildlife habitat.
When the opportunity to become a supplier to Straus presented itself, the Bordessas jumped at the chance. “We’ve always admired Straus Family Creamery for their commitment to organic practices and their dedication to supporting local farmers,” says Jarrid Bordessa. “Joining the Straus supplier network feels like a natural fit — they share our values and understand the importance of sustainable practices for both the environment and the future of family farming.”
As with all of our suppliers, Bordessa Family Dairies are on the path to carbon neutrality. Their current commitments to rotational grazing, cover cropping, restoring riparian waterways, and regenerative carbon farming put them on the path to build healthy soil and sequester carbon.
