California Artisan Cheese Festival

March 21-23, 2025 | Marketplace at Fairgrounds March 23, 2025

Sonoma County Fairgrounds Event Center
1350 Bennett Valley Road
Santa Rosa, CA
Tickets: $25-up, artisancheesefestival.com

Weekend showcases cheesemakers with local farm tours, grand tasting events, beer & wine pairings and cooking demonstrations with world-­ renowned chefs. This weekend of all things cheese is filled with Cheese Tastings and Pairings, Farm and Producer Tours, Cheese Crawl, and the Artisan Cheese Tasting & Marketplace.

Weekend showcases cheesemakers with local farm tours, grand tasting events, beer & wine pairings and cooking demonstrations with world-­ renowned chefs

The event brings together artisan cheesemakers, brewers, wineries and guests for three days of tasting and appreciation of all things cheese.

The Festival features a lively weekend lineup of top artisan cheese experts, authors, chefs and winemakers conducting seminars, pairings, tastings and cheese-­ filled demonstrations. Guests have the opportunity to experience limited-­ production, rare artisan cheeses and learn about the art of making cheese, while supporting local and sustainable farmers and cheesemakers in California.

The event has something for everyone: try amazing cheese, meet talented guest chefs, tour a farm where cheese is made, or learn about the process of how it gets from farm to table.

In recent years there have been additional Brewery Tour and Cheese Pairing Dinners as expanded offerings, plus a VIP Brunch and an expanded Artisan Cheese Tasting & Marketplace on Sunday.

Behind-­ the-­ Scenes Cheese Country Farm Tours. One of the most popular and coveted of events, the intimate Farm Tours are held at various local farms and creameries, giving visitors a glimpse into the important role of the farmer and where cheese gets its start. Guests can taste the differences between cow's, sheep's and goat's milk cheeses, tour area farms, watch cheese being made and learn about how an animal's diet affects a cheese's flavor.

History: 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 will donate 10% of all ticket proceeds to Sonoma Land Trust, Marin Agricultural Land Trust, Petaluma Future Farmers of America, California Artisan Cheese Guild and Redwood Empire Food Bank. The Artisan Cheese Festival has contributed to non-­ profit organizations that work to support the artisan cheesemaking community and its infrastructure in California.

Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.