California Artisan Cheese Festival Readies for 10th Anniversary Celebration Here in Sonoma County, March 2016

California’s premier cheese event, California’s Artisan Cheese Festival, is celebrating its tenth year, March 18th - 20th, 2016, in and around the Sheraton Sonoma County in Petaluma. Celebrating 10 years of cheese education and appreciation, next year’s Festival brings together artisan cheesemakers, farmers, educators, authors, chefs, brewers, winemakers and enthusiastic guests for three days of cheese tasting, education and celebration. In honor of this exciting milestone, new festival elements include two days of Farm Tours, including destinations outside of the Bay Area, educational components included in every Farm Tour, and a not-to-be-missed 10 Year Celebration under the Big Top on Saturday night. “Over the last decade, California’s artisan cheesemaking community has grown exponentially,” said Festival Executive Director Judy Groverman Walker. “It’s wonderful to know that our festival has helped to foster this growth, and we look forward to supporting the cheesemaking community for many more years to come!” Throughout the weekend, guests will have the opportunity to experience new, limited-production and rare artisan cheeses while supporting California farmers and cheesemakers in their ongoing effort to advance sustainability. Tickets go on sale on January 1, 2026 and will be available at www.artisancheesefestival.com.   The 2016 schedule features the following events:  Friday, March 18  Farm Tours & Lunch Back by popular demand are Friday’s intimate farm tours where guests are guided on walking tours of various farms and creameries to meet the cheesemakers and farmers, learn how cheeses are made and, of course, taste the fruits of their labor.  New this year, farm tours will feature an educational component such as a discussion or tasting led by industry experts on a variety of topics. Also new are two tours that go beyond the Bay Area to the Central Valley so guests may experience cheesemaking in other areas of the state. Tours allow guests to observe behind-the-scenes aspects of cheesemaking and interact with the cows, sheep or goats in their natural environment. Tours include round-trip transportation as well as cheese tastings and lunch. Cheese is available for purchase on many of the farm tours.  Tickets and specific details about the farm tours to be available on January 1, 2016; $135; 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Cheesemongers' Duel - The Best Bite Friday night under the Big Top is where cheesemongers will take center stage in a light-hearted yet energetic competition to see who can create the best bite using California artisan cheese. Guests are encouraged to vote for their favorite bite while enjoying plenty of artisan wine, cider and beer. A “Fantasy Cheese Table” will be center stage, so guests may taste the wide variety of local and rare cheeses at this not-to-be-missed party to kick off the weekend.  Tickets $50; The Big Top at the Sheraton Sonoma County, 6 – 9 p.m.  Saturday, March 19  Farm Tours & Lunch New this year, the popular and coveted Friday farm tours have been expanded to Saturday! Guests will be guided on walking tours of various local farms and creameries to meet the cheesemakers and farmers, learn how the cheeses are made and taste the fruits of their labor. Tours on Saturday will feature an educational component such as a discussion or tasting led by an industry expert on a variety of topics. Tours allow guests to observe behind-the-scenes aspects of cheesemaking and interact with the animals in their natural environment. Each tour includes round-trip transportation from the Sheraton Sonoma County, as well as cheese tastings and lunch. Cheese is available for purchase on most of the farm tours.  Tickets and specific details about the farm tours to be available January 1, 2016; $135; 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.  Seminars + Tasting and Pairing Demonstrations In addition to the educational components that are included on the farm tours, there are also a handful of seminars offered a la carte on Saturday at the Sheraton Sonoma County and at Cowgirl Creamery in Petaluma. Led by industry experts on a variety of topics, the seminars will range from pairing cheese with sake to the similarities of making cheese and chocolate. Confirmed instructors include Peggy Smith and Sue Conley of Cowgirl Creamery; renowned cheese writer and author Janet Fletcher; author and cheese expert Laura Werlin; cheese expert and founding president of the California Artisan Cheese Guild Lynne Devereux; and cheese and wine author Kristin Jackson. During the lunch break and after the afternoon seminars authors will be available for book signings. Books will be available for purchase by Copperfield’s Books.  Tickets $75; Sheraton Sonoma County and Cowgirl Creamery Warehouse. 10 – 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 – 3 p.m. California Cheesin' — We Do It Our Whey! In celebration of a decade of California’s Artisan Cheese Festival, guests are invited to taste their way around this evening celebration of California cheese, sampling dishes from some of the Bay Area's best chefs and caterers. Each chef will incorporate their favorite locally made cheese into an impressive dish for attendees who will then cast their vote for their favorite dish. The winner will be announced on-site during this lively and festive competition and there will also be a special tribute to some of the icons of California’s artisan cheese industry. Artisan wines, beers and ciders will be on hand to complement each dish, and live music and a photo booth will add to the jovial atmosphere. Tickets $75; The Big Top at the Sheraton Sonoma County, 6 – 9 p.m.  Sunday, March 20 Sunday Bubbles and Brunch with Visionary Chef John Ash Considered the Father of Wine Country cuisine, chef John Ash will be dishing up a special Sunday brunch celebrating California cheese at every course. Chef Ash will provide a live cooking demonstration and sparkling wine will be provided by Gloria Ferrer Champagne Caves. Tickets to brunch also include coveted early entry into the Artisan Cheese Tasting & Marketplace at 11 a.m., before it opens to the public at 12 p.m.  Tickets $115; Sheraton Sonoma County Ballroom, 9:30 – 11 a.m. Artisan Cheese Tasting & Marketplace The grand finale of the Festival, the Marketplace brings together more than 90 artisan cheesemakers, winemakers, brewers, chefs and producers to sample and sell their products directly to attendees in this feast for the senses. Guests can discover the next wave of local, hand-crafted cheeses, boutique wines and artisan-brewed beers as well as interesting cheese products, books and recipes.  Each ticket includes entry to the Marketplace, an insulated cheese tote bag and a signature wine glass. Tickets $45 for adults; $20 for children 12 and under; The Big Top at the Sheraton Sonoma County, 12 – 4 p.m. Complimentary Cooking and Entertaining Demonstrations In between tasting and buying cheeses at the Marketplace, guests are invited to watch live cooking and entertaining demonstrations conducted by local chefs and cheese experts, including a demonstration of how to create the perfect party cheese platter.  Free with a Marketplace ticket; Sheraton Sonoma County Ballroom, 12 – 4 p.m.   Those interested can also follow updates by “liking” the Artisan Cheese Festival on Facebook and following the event on Twitter.  All events are priced separately and the Sheraton Sonoma County – Petaluma is offering special discounted rates on rooms for festival-goers.