SANTA ROSA, Calif.—California’s premier cheese event, the California Artisan Cheese Festival, is pleased to announce the presenters for the Seminars to be held on Saturday, March 23, 2019. Cheese enthusiasts who attend this beloved weekend festival will have the opportunity to experience new, limited-production, and rare artisan cheeses all while learning about the art of cheesemaking from some of the industry’s most knowledgeable experts through a variety of interactive seminars. Instructors include prominent cheese writer and author of Planet Cheese Janet Fletcher; renowned cheese expert Juliana Uruburu; American Cheese Society (ACS) Certified Cheese Professionals® Vanessa Chang and Rachel Perez; Cheese Twins and Food Network celebrities Charlie and Michael Kalish; and co-founder of Culture Magazine, Lassa Skinner.Topics range from pairing cheese with various cocktails to unique ciders and beers, to the science behind cheesemaking, and how old school and new school cheesemakers continue to shape and innovate the Golden State’s cheese industry. A full list of seminar descriptions can be found atwww.artisancheesefestival.com/seminars.
Beyond the seminars, the two-day festival includes cheese tastings, pairings, farm and producer tours, and a culinary competition, all of which are held at various locations in Sonoma and Marin Counties March 23-24, 2019. Tickets for events range from $25 to $150 per person and are available for purchase now by visiting www.artisancheesefestival.com.
Other events and happenings taking place throughout the festival weekend include:
Saturday, March 23
Producer & Farm Tours
8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Various Locations
$120 to $150 per person
These intimate Saturday tours to various local farms, creameries and artisan producers are some of the most popular and coveted events of the weekend, giving visitors a glimpse into the important role of the farmer and where cheese gets its start. Guests will be guided on behind-the-scenes tours where they can learn how cheese and other artisan products are made, meet the cheesemakers, farmers, and producers behind their favorite local products and, of course, taste the fruits of their labor. Most tours include round-trip transportation, cheese tastings, and lunch.
Participants include Achadinha Cheese Co., AppleGarden Farm, Bohemian Creamery, Cowgirl Creamery, Lagunitas Brewing Company, Marin French Cheese, Nicasio Valley Cheese, Old Possum Brewing, Orland Farmstead Creamery, Pedrozo Diary & Cheese, Pennyroyal Farm, Rumiano Cheese, Russian River Brewing Company, Seismic Brewing Co., Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese and The Fork, Tomales Farmstead Creamery, Two Rock Valley Goat Cheese, Valley Ford Cheese & Creamery, and Wm. Cofield Cheesemakers,among others. A full list of tour descriptions can be found at www.artisancheesefestival.com/tours.
Cheese, Bites & Booze!
6 to 9 p.m.
JFW Hangar at the Sonoma County Airport,
Flightline Drive, Santa Rosa
$80 per person
Following the educational seminars, demonstrations and tours, guests can opt to end their day participating in Saturday night’s grand tasting event held inside the Jackson Family Wines Aircraft Hangar located at the Sonoma County Airport. This delicious competition features cheesemakers, chefs and cheesemongers creating their “best bites” of California artisan cheesy goodness. Guests sample the amazing creations while sipping on regional artisan wines, ciders, spirits, and beers at this light-hearted walk-around tasting event. (21 and over only, no children will be admitted.)
Sunday, March 24
Bubbles & Brunch
9:30 to 11 a.m.
Saralee & Richard’s Barn, Sonoma County Fairgrounds
1350 Bennett Valley Rd., Santa Rosa, CA
$125 per person
The early riser gets an amazing brunch and coveted advance entry into the Artisan Cheese Tasting and Marketplace. Enjoy a Sunday brunch celebrating cheese at every course while being entertained with a live cooking demonstration by Chefs and Owners Daniel Kedan and Marianna Gardenhire of Michelin Guide-awarded Backyard Restaurant in Forestville. Tickets include brunch, sparkling wine and early entry into the Artisan Cheese Tasting & Marketplace at 11 a.m. before opening to the public at 12 p.m.
Artisan Cheese Tasting & Marketplace
12 to 4 p.m.
Grace Pavilion, Sonoma County Fairgrounds
1350 Bennett Valley Rd., Santa Rosa, CA
$50 per person; $25 for children 12 and under
The grand finale of the festival, the Marketplace brings together more than 100 artisan producers of the best local cheese, wine, beer, ciders and other specialty foods. Guests are invited to taste, discover and buy new cheeses and the next wave of interesting cheese accompaniments, and artisan products that complement cheese. Tickets include admission, author book signings, the cherished Artisan Cheese Festival insulated cheese tote bag and a festival wine glass.
Please note all ticket sales are final and all events will take place rain or shine. For more updates and details about the California Artisan Cheese Festival, or to purchase tickets, visitwww.artisancheesefestival.com.
Generous sponsors of the California Artisan Cheese Festival include American AgCredit, Beehive Cheese Company, Central Coast Creamery, Culture Magazine, Donald and Maureen Green Foundation, Ellipses Public Relations, Flamingo Conference Resort & Spa, Jackson Family Wines, John Boos, Lagunitas Brewing Company, Mike Hudson Distributing, Nicasio Valley Cheese Company, Oliver’s Markets, Pisenti & Brinker LLP, Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company, Pure Luxury Transportation, Real California Milk, Rumiano Cheese Company, Rustic Bakery, Seismic Brewing Company, Sierra Nevada Cheese Company, Sonoma County Tourism, Sonoma Jet Center, Tahoe Kitchen Co., Tomales Farmstead, and Visit Santa Rosa.
About California Artisan Cheese Festival
A 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization, the California Artisan Cheese Festival strives to increase cheese appreciation, educate consumers about artisan cheeses, support the cheesemaking community and its sustainability and celebrate the creations of California’s many farmers and cheesemakers. The festival began in March 2007 as the first-ever, weekend-long celebration and exploration of handcrafted cheeses, foods, wines and beers from California and beyond. In keeping with its dedication to the community, the Artisan Cheese Festival has donated more than $120,000 in grants to local nonprofit partners that support local sustainable agriculture including the California Artisan Cheese Guild, Sonoma Land Trust, Marin Agricultural Land Trust (MALT), the Redwood Empire Food Bank and the Petaluma Chapter of the Future Farmers of America. For more information about the California Artisan Cheese Festival , visit www.artisancheesefestival.com or follow them onFacebook, Instagram and Twitter.
