Artisan cheese festival as tasty as ever
Cheese lovers, mark your calendars: The California Artisan Cheese Festival returns to Sonoma County from March 21 through 23 with three days of farm tours, tasting events and workshops designed for everyone from the casual snacker to the full-fledged turophile.
The 19th annual event kicks off on March 21 with farm and producer tours across Marin, Mendocino and Sonoma counties ($175 per person). These immersive excursions provide behind-the-scenes access to renowned cheesemakers like Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co. and Nicasio Valley Cheese Co., with stops at cideries, wineries and meaderies along the way. (Tours A and F are now full.)
On March 22, seminars and workshops take place at Sonoma County winery and brewery tasting rooms ($80 to $125). Highlights include a classical music recital with mezzo-soprano Veronique Kherian, aka Miss Cheesemonger, and hands-on classes in cheese tasting, composing cheese boards and pairing cheese with beer, chocolate or charcuterie. Later in the day, head to the Barlow in Sebastopol for the Cheese Crawl, where attendees can follow a map to cheese, food and beverage sampling stations throughout the 12-acre outdoor market district ($35).
The weekend culminates on March 23 with the artisan cheese tasting and marketplace at the Grace Pavilion at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds and Event Center in Santa Rosa ($69). Sample and shop from more than 100 cheesemakers, food artisans, winemakers, brewers, distillers and chefs; enjoy live entertainment; and take home an insulated cheese tote and wine glass.
Get an early start that morning at Bubbles + Bites at Saralee & Richard’s Barn at the fairgrounds ($125). Tickets include early entry to the marketplace and insights from host and guest speaker Clark Wolf, who will share recommendations on standout cheeses and other can’t-miss offerings.
The Sonoma County Fairgrounds and Event Center is at 1350 Bennett Valley Road in Santa Rosa. Tickets for the festival are selling quickly, with some events nearing capacity. For more information or to secure a spot, visit artisancheesefestival.com.
Leanne Battelle is a freelance food writer and restaurant columnist. Email her at ij.lbattelle@gmail.com with comments and find more local food news at therealdealmarin.com.