Flavio DeCastilhos spent 20 years as a manager and executive in Silicon Valley's fast-paced, high-tech industry. He co-founded Healtheon/WebMD, introducing online healthcare to the market. He also worked at Silicon Graphics managing and deploying high-profile Interactive TV projects. His wife Margie is also a computer industry veteran, with 15 years experience at Hewlett Packard.

During a vacation to southern Brazil's wine country, a region rich with Italian ancestry, Flavio became fascinated with the local cheese industry and enthralled with the wonderful tastes and textures of artisan cheeses. Upon his return to the states, he decided to research the potential for building a business centered on what he considers "food for the soul." A few years later, the DeCastilhos family founded Tumalo Farms.

Starting a farm and a business from scratch gave DeCastilhos the opportunity to build a state-of-the-art cheese-making operation. He spent two years researching, studying and learning the art and science of cheese making, and how to run a farm. His interest grew in perfecting traditional Dutch and Italian cheeses, and in experimenting with local ingredients to develop new recipes with a touch of Oregon.

The farm also reflects DeCastilhos' management expertise and significant investments in modern barns, automated milking stations and separate areas for males, and pregnant and milking goats. The cheese building has separate rooms for holding the milk in stainless steel tanks and making the cheese. The main cellar is built into the side of a hill and designed with high-technology systems to control temperature and humidity, which are constantly monitored and adjusted until the cheese is deemed perfect.

Tucked in the triangle between Bend, Sisters, and Redmond, Tumalo Farms is 84 acres of lush land surrounded by beautiful views of the Cascades. At approximately 3,500 feet above sea level, the high desert climate offers crisp alpine air and more than 300 days of sunshine a year. The wonderful environment encourages everyone to relax and enjoy Central Oregon.