California Artisan Cheese Festival

May 7, 2022, 12 a.m.-4 p.m.

Sonoma County Fairgrounds Event Center 1350 Bennett Valley Road Santa Rosa, CA 95404 Tickets: $25-135, artisancheesefestival.com

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

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.

Cheese Demos and Seminars (Saturday) Join local industry experts, chefs and cheesemakers for a variety of interactive seminars and demos throughout the day at the Sheraton Sonoma County. The seminars will include lunch catered by Petaluma Market.

Best in Cheese Competition (Saturday) This popular roaming feast showcases top Bay Area chefs using artisan cheeses in a variety of dishes from sweet to savory. More than 20 top restaurants, wineries and breweries and will vie for your affection and vote at this lighthearted competition of all things cheese. From soufflés to sandwiches, guests can expect to experience cheese in ways they've never had before at this gastronomic showdown.

Grand Tasting Marketplace March 24, 2019, 12-4 p.m.  $53.49 per person. Artisan Cheese Tasting & Marketplace (Sunday) In this exposition for the senses, the Artisan Marketplace brings together more than 65 artisan producers, winemakers, brewers and chefs who will sample their local hand-­ crafted cheeses, delectable cheese-­ based dishes, boutique wines and artisan-­ brewed beers. Discover the next wave of interesting cheese products, books and recipes. Cooking demonstrations with top Wine Country chefs will also take place throughout the event and every guest brings home a coveted ACF insulated cheese tote bag as well as a festive wine glass. A full schedule of events, participants, and ticketing information can be viewed here: artisancheesefestival.com/schedule.html.

All events are priced separately

Past Sponsors : include Bellwether Farms, Cowgirl Creamery, Cypress Grove, Laura Chenel's Chevre, Marin French Cheese, Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co., Sheraton Sonoma County-­ Petaluma, The Don and Maureen Green Foundation, Basin Street Properties, Pure Luxury Transportation, Clover-­ Stornetta Farms, Pisenti & Brinker, The Beverage People and All-­ American Printing. About California's Artisan Cheese Festival A 501 (c3) non-­ profit organization, California's 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.

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. To date the Artisan Cheese Festival has contributed more than $35,000 to these 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.