And by kid I mean a cute baby goat.

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to visit Pure Luck Farm and Dairy out in Dripping Springs. I’ve been enjoying Pure Luck cheeses for many years, so I was very excited to be able to tour the farm. Pure Luck specializes in organic artisanal goat cheeses and fresh cut herbs. The tour was organized by Slow Food Austin, and we were shown around by owner Amelia, her husband Ben and her sister Gitana, who were all kind and welcoming. This family operation is really quite amazing. The farm is their home and you really do feel at home while wandering around the property.

This curious kid was so sweet!

The amount of cheese and herbs they produce astonished me after I saw the minimal space in which they make everything. They have on average 70 milking goats in the herd and each produces a gallon of milk every day. They handle and bottle feed the goats from an early age, so they are all very tame and friendly. We were able to milk the goats and enjoy the freshest (and warm!) goats milk you can get. We were then able to play with the kids. If you’ve never played with a goat kid, you don’t know what you’re missing. They are so much fun, playful, energetic and affectionate! It made me want to get a pygmy goat as a pet, although Sawyer might mutiny over that.

Success! I milked a goat.

Next we went and toured the herb fields. They supply the organic fresh cut herbs for Whole Foods, Central Market and Greenling here in Austin. I was surprised to learn that the herb sales are a little less than half of their business. I used to think of Pure Luck as just being cheese producers.

We ended the afternoon by tasting many of the delicious cheeses they make. We also enjoyed some ice cold beer courtesy of Independence Brewery and Antonelli’s Cheese Shop (who co-sponsored the tour). I made good work of the delicious cheeses before I remembered to take a picture, so you are seeing the aftermath below. They also sent us home with a bunch of fresh mint and some of their best selling cheeses: June’s Joy - Chevre mixed with honey, thyme and a hint of black pepper; Sainte Maure - a good stinky soft-ripened cheese with an ashen rind; and Extra Aged Bleu Cheese - name says is all, so good drizzled with honey. These all went fast at my house, sooooo yummy!

Mmmmmm … goat cheese.

My experience at Pure Luck was fantastic. I plan on taking one of their cheese classes in the fall. If you ever get an opportunity to tour the farm, I highly recommend it. Even more, I encourage you to pick up some of their delicious cheese and taste for yourself.

The newest buck and one of his friends.

This cutie decided being inside the feeder was the best spot.

Sweet little girls who nuzzled and nibbled on my fingers.