Southern Sonoma Country Life

Sonoma County's Bellwether Farms' First Mixed Milk Blackstone Cheese — Perfect For Spring Pairings

Photo: Dominic Rivetti 

Northern California farmstead cheese lovers are in for a treat this spring with the release of Bellwether Farms' absolutely delicious new "Blackstone" — the cheesemaker's first mixed milk cheese. And it's all about the terroir. 

Bellwether Farms, located in Sonoma County's bucolic Valley Ford, has been making award-winning sheep milk and cow milk cheeses on their land for nearly 30 years. 

Proprietor and cheesemaker, Liam Callahan developed Blackstone for an increasingly sophisticated American market clamoring for mixed-milk cheeses.

Handsome 3 1/4 pound wheels are a blend of Jersey cow and sheep milk, dotted with black peppercorns and sporting a gorgeous black rind. The rind results from a compelling mixture of crushed black pepper, oil, rosemary and vegetable ash that is hand-rubbed on each wheel during its six to eight weeks of aging at the creamery in Valley Ford. 

"We like that Blackstone combines the best of both worlds," says Liam. "Our premium Jersey cow milk gives the cheese a creamy mouthfeel while our sheep milk deepens the complex flavor".  

Liam named the cheese for its resemblance to the volcanic rock outcroppings that we are so familiar with in the Sonoma and Marin landscape.

I'm a big fan of Bellwether cheeses and couldn't wait to get my hands on a portion of one of the first released blocks of Blackstone. Once I had some in the house, I took its pairing seriously and scoured my secret wine stash for micro-regional picks that I felt would match up in quality and terroir. 

I was looking for local Sonoma Coast/Petaluma Gap wines that share qualities of earth, climate and properties for best pairing. Though red wines are considered best paired with hard cheeses, I decided to go with a lighter Pinot Noir — low in tannin, packing berry flavors, floral aromas and known to pair well with both cow and sheep milk cheeses. 

While I was at it, I came across an older (also 2010), unoaked Chardonnay from the area — crisp and refreshing with aromas of citrus and apple blossoms, suitable for a pairing with a tangy mountain cheese. 

If you're not familiar with Kastania wines, you ought to be. Proprietors and winemakers Hoot and Linda Smith and family make exclusive, handcrafted wines in small lots from their estate-grown Burgundy and Bordeaux varietals influenced by the distinctive Sonoma Coast/Petaluma Gap terroir and maritime impact that flavor Bellwether cheeses.

The Smith's five acre vineyards, positioned adjacent to Highway 101 at the south approach to Petaluma, were planted on oak-studded land that has been in Hoot's family since 1860. Hoot and Linda have been making their premium wines since 1997. I find their Pinot Noir to be versatile, pairing well with the best of Sonoma coastal regional offerings. 

And indeed a glass of 2010 Estate Grown Kastania Pinot Noir did pair beautifully when served with a slither of Blackstone and sliced apple. Kastania's Pinot Noir evolves over time, so I reached for an older vintage, in this case, to fully appreciate an intense nose and palate of raspberries, dried cranberry and black tea. Each bite of this bold new cheese revealed a distinctively fresh emergence of flavor — nutty, mushroomy, magnificently moody and smoky. 

Chilled, Keller Estate's 2010 Oro de Plata Chardonnay, crafted at one of the few, truly exclusive family-owned estates in southern Sonoma County (off Lakeville Highway, south-east of Petaluma), is the very essence of spring. Lean and vibrant, this particular wine is made and aged almost entirely in cutting-edge stainless steel.

Wine Enthusiast described Keller's 2013 vintage of its Oro de Plata as: "A complex mélange of briny, preserved lemon, apple crisp and caramel brittle, this wine is deceptively elegant and refined, with a dark, brooding finish".

Aromas of apple and citrus blossom combined with a palate of pear, honey and Meyer lemon zest proved to me a joyous pairing with the firm, smooth, peppery tartness of the cheese. 

Photo: Dominic Rivetti

Blackstone joins the roster of Bellwether's popular aged cheeses, Carmody, San Andreas and Pepato. The creamery's fresh and cultured products include top-selling sheep milk yogurts, Whole Milk Basket Ricotta (which recently received an unprecedented fifth consecutive award from the esteemed Good Food Awards competition), Creme Fraiche, Fromage Blanc and Crescenza. 

Bellwether Farms is a family business founded by Liam's mom, Cindy Callahan in 1986 with a flock of sheep needed to control grass on their land. Today the Cindy and her family milks 350 sheep and every cheese and yogurt is handmade on the farm by Liam and his crew. Liam's wife, Diana, handles the business side of the farm and cheesemaking operation. 

Sonoma County stores with the best stocked cheese counters started carrying Blackstone mid-February 2016. Click here for a list of additional retailers. Look for this and other Bellwether cheeses at:

• Marin Civic Center Farmers’ Market, Sundays, 8am -– 1pm
• Wells Fargo Farmers Market in Santa Rosa Saturdays, 8:30am - 1pm

 

Why Not Home? Petaluma Boulevard 14 Cinemas Premiers Locally Produced New Documentary on Home Birth —Tuesday April 19th, 2016

Congratulations to Director and Producer Jessica Moore and her amazing team on the release of their extraordinary documentary on the critical and thoroughly researched topic of modern maternity care in the U.S. Why Not Home? tells the compelling stories of women who choose to go outside the hospitals where they themselves practice to give birth.

Petaluma-based Jessica is is a family nurse practitioner and filmmaker. A graduate of the UCLA School of Nursing, she has always been drawn to people and their stories and is passionate about empowering women and families through information sharing. She became interested in filmmaking when the intersection of her personal and professional worlds gave her a story she had to tell.

Her path to motherhood started with a high tech conception through IVF and culminated in a low tech birth at home. She tells the previously untold story of hospital birth providers who chose to give birth at home in her first film, "Why not Home?" 

Click here to meet the rest of the team behind the documentary. 

Buy tickets for the Petaluma screening here. 

Hello Penngrove — A Light, Bright, Neighborhood Space for Shopping, Crafting, Storytelling & Song

I've been following Hello Penngrove on Instagram for the past few months. I finally had a few minutes free to stop by this personality-packed, bright and breezy, rustic boutique and gathering spot on Main Street for a first visit, this Feb. 

Hello Penngrove has been open since May of 2015. Owner Kaitlin Loewenthal sources all sorts of lovely things — hand-made, locally and responsibly made. 

I like Kaitlin's concept of Story & Song in the store, each Wednesday from 10.30 am to 11.30 am. All ages are welcome for a free and fun morning hour of singing and reading with friends and neighbors in the store's designated playroom area.

Her kids section is full of cute stuff and worth the drive out to Penngrove if you're in the gift-buying mode for babies and little children. 

Downtown Penngrove, which suffered a bit of a slump in years past, appears to be perking up with several lively eating spots, including Yanni's Sausages and a popular little pub. This sweet store is located next to Caprara's pizza shop and nearby bustling breakfast and lunch spot JavAmore Cafe, at 1010 Main Street, Penngrove, CA 94951. Phone 707 665 5759. Click here for Hello Penngrove website.

 

 

Sonoma County's Em Rossi's New Music Video Release —"Earthquake"

Congratulations to 17-year-old Sonoma County singer/songwriter Em Rossi on the release of her fab new music video "Earthquake". Em has been taking great strides in launching herself in the American music arena while still in high school. I can't wait to see what she's going to do after June graduation. See emrossi.com for more songs and background info.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Ireland — Ready Yourself For St. Patrick's Day with Sonoma County's Keenan Irish Dance Show

St Patrick's Day approaches. Recent rains certainly have transformed the landscape in Sonoma County to a sea of  green reminiscent of the Emerald Isle. 

Join Sonoma County’s Keenan Irish Dancers for an evening of top entertainment at their 2016 St Patrick Day’s Show and immerse yourself more fully into the music, dance and culture of Ireland.

This lively and colorful show takes place on Sunday, March 6th, 2016 at 5:30 pm at the Luchessi Park Community Center, 320 North McDowell Blvd, Petaluma.

Purchase tickets at the door for $20 for adults and $10 for children 12 years old and under. In addition to the show, refreshments will be provided.

Keenan Irish dancers look forward to sharing their love of Irish dance. Don’t miss this chance to celebrate St Patrick’s Day in true Irish style.

The Keenan Irish Dance School is located in Sonoma County under the direction of Fidelma Keenan-Glaser, TCRG. Mrs. Keenan-Glaser became an accredited Irish dance teacher after having competed very successfully at the world championship level.

The school’s mission is to bring the joy and beauty of Irish dance to children of all ages and abilities, from beginners to championship dancers who compete worldwide. The Keenan Irish Dance School offers traditional Irish dance classes for K.I.D.S. ages 4 and up in Petaluma, Santa Rosa, and Sonoma. Click here to learn more.

Spruce Up Your Space this Spring — Stylish New Lines at Petaluma Home & Garden Store

I popped in to deliver a fresh stack of books to my friend Alonda in her lovely Petaluma Home & Garden store at 516 Petaluma Boulevard South and to check out all the super stylish new lines she's hand selected for spring.

Alonda's an excellent curator of color and design. Her range is sophisticated yet at a realistic price point — all sorts of items to spruce up your Sonoma County digs this season.

Miele vacuum cleaners and bags are the store's mainstay. We had a chat about that. Although this is a boutique style store experience for the purchase of a household appliance, it costs the same to buy a Miele vacuum from Petaluma Home & Garden as from any of the big box stores, online or off. Plus, it's much more fun to pop in every now and then to pick up bags and browse house and garden wares, great gift lines, too. 

These hand-finished ceramic vases from Thailand start at $24. 

Sawyer Ceramics of San Diego handcraft salt cellars and butter keepers, another popular new item.

Small batch Shrub & Co are crafted in Berkeley from organic fruit, sugar, vinegar and aromatics — no concentrates or artificial ingredients. Mix with gin or vermouth or sparkling water for a refreshing cocktail.

Pillows, French dishtowels and shopping bags, sun umbrellas and bistro tables add to the mix of homemaking selections in the store. Look for one-of-a-kind handmade coffee and side tables.

If you've yet to stop in at Petaluma Home & Garden, be sure to make a pit-stop this spring. 

Open 10 am to 6 pm. 

 

 

 

The Green Music Center Presents Music From Britain and Ireland — The Distinguished Band of the Royal Marines, Paddy Maloney and The Chieftains & More

Sonoma State University's Green Music Center has announced a terrific upcoming line up of live music from Britain and Ireland. 

The distinguished Band of the Royal Marines are world renowned for the quality of their musicianship, visual grandeur and precision drill. The Band’s repertoire includes popular classics, big band, stimulating contemporary works and entertaining solo features. A Friday, February 26th 7.30 pm performance also features the world-renowned Pipes, Drums and Highland Dancers of the Scots Guards.

Sonoma County Irish dancers open for the world's best loved Irish folk band, The Chieftains, performing with Paddy Maloney on Saturday, February 27th at 7.30 pm. These six-time Grammy^® Award winners have collaborated and performed with some of the biggest names in rock, pop, classical and traditional music, and have made Irish music beloved around the world. 

The King's Singers opens this lively series from the British Isles on February 19th and Sir James Galway and Friends completes the fab four shows on March 18th. 

 

Arty and Compassionate? Share the Love — Create a Handmade Piece of Art The Size of a Postcard for Bay Area's Women's Wisdom Initiative

One of my favorite Bay Area women’s-empowerment focused non-profits, The Women’s Wisdom Initiative has announced an upcoming campaign to engage the public in the creation of 1000 Traveling Postcards in 100 days.  

Starting February 14th, the campaign asks participants to create a handmade piece of art, the size of a postcard that includes  a compassionate message of solidarity, and then upload a photo of it to the Women Wisdom’s Initiative’s instagram.

The initiative is part of their signature healing arts workshop called Traveling Postcards which was founded on the premise that art has the ability to heal, feed and transform our lives.

Sonoma County-resident Caroline Lovell, Executive Director, will facilitate an exhibition of the cards and ultimately hand deliver each one to a survivor of domestic violence and/or sexual assault.  

In choosing a virtual, social-media-centered format for #1000TravelingPostcards, the Women’s Wisdom Initiative hopes to enable participation on a global scale.  Consistent with their other projects, #1000TravelingPostcards is an opportunity for anyone to make art, use their voice to affect positive social change, and offer a gift of connection to someone in need of healing.  

About the Women’s Wisdom Initiative

The  SF Bay area non-profit realizes projects that support our mission of overcoming gender-based oppression through creative action.  Our programs reach isolated communities, bridge cultural boundaries and allow for powerful voices to be collected, shared and honored.  The organization was born out of Executive Director Caroline Lovell’s ongoing art/community project, Traveling Postcards.  

To learn more about The Women’s Wisdom Initiative and to participate in #1000TravelingPostcards, please visit online:

website: http://womenswisdominitiative.org/1000-traveling-postcards-100-days/

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Traveling-Postcards-265225793194/?fref=ts

instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travelingpostcards/

or contact the initiative directly at:

info@womenswisdominitiative.org

Bring on Spring — Treat Yourself to a Mixed Media Painting Workshop with Artist Tim Schaible at Canvas Ranch

Email tim@timschiable.com to sign up for this delightful Mixed Media Painting Workshop with artist Tim Schaible at beautiful Canvas Ranch, out in the folds of Two Rock Valley. 

What a great way to welcome in spring! 

 

Pliny the Younger's 12th Annual Return to Beer Crazy Sonoma County — The Skinny for Getting in Line Through Feb 18th (2016)

Pliny the Younger made his 12th Annual return to Russian River Brewing Company Friday February 5th and will be available to beer fans through February 18th, 2016!

It will be available on draft each day at the Russian River Brewing Company brewpub on Fourth Street in Santa Rosa until run that day’s allocation runs out, which rarely happens. 

Younger is neither bottled nor available in growlers so more people will have the opportunity to enjoy it right from the source, or at a handful of select draft accounts. Following is some helpful information from the brewery to make this year’s Younger Release fun and safe for everyone!

The Beer:

Pliny the Younger is considered a “triple” IPA, simply meaning that it is higher in alcohol and has tons of hops. The alcohol should finish at about 10.25%, although it is remarkably dry for the amount of malt used in the recipe. It is loaded with hop flavors, bitterness, and aromatics. The hops used in this year’s recipe are of excellent quality: Simcoe, Warrior, Chinook, Centennial, Amarillo, and Tomahawk. Beer makers brewed Younger for the first time 12 years ago as a winter seasonal, building upon the Pliny the Elder recipe while pushing the envelope with malt, hops, and alcohol just to see how far they could go! It is always brewed only once a year and released the first Friday in February, rain or shine.

The Man:

Pliny the Younger was the nephew and adopted son of Pliny the Elder. He was a lawyer and an author in Ancient Rome and witnessed the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 AD, which took the life of his uncle. He lived from 61 AD to 112 AD. He wrote many letters which survive today and have great historical value. Brewers thought it appropriate to also pay tribute to Pliny the Elder’s nephew by naming this special beer after him!

What to expect if you head over to the pub:

In 2015, brewers made some positive changes which reduced wait times and kept the line moving, albeit slowly but hopefully better than years past!  There is now a predicted three hour/three Younger maximum to ensure that more guests will actually get in the door. The longest wait last year was eight hours. 

Plan on a long wait anyway if you visit on a weekend, especially the first weekend.  And if it rains, the brewpub will be forced to close its outdoor patio. The pub’s capacity is 135 people (at least that’s what the sign on the wall says!).

Younger is served in a 10 ounce glass with a maximum of 3 per person. Russian River Brewing Company is bound by law to promote the responsible consumption of alcohol and may not serve anyone who is obviously intoxicated.  This beer is only available for on-premise consumption.  You can't get it in growler and it's never been bottled.  In addition to Pliny the Younger, about 20 other excellent beers will be on tap for your enjoyment, many of which are available in growlers or bottles to go.

The Line:

Every year the majority of our issues come from the very long line of people waiting to get in to the pub for two solid weeks. In an effort to remain neighborly and responsible business owners in the community, brewers kindly ask you to respect one another and neighbors by complying with the following courtesies and code of conduct:

• Open container laws are alive and well in Santa Rosa. There is no drinking in line.
• The City of Santa Rosa has a No Smoking Ordinance, stating there is no smoking anything within 20 feet of business entrances or where people gather.  So no smoking in line.
• Neighboring businesses are often upset with the line blocking their entrances or the parking lot driveways. Please do not camp out in business doorways and be courteous when customers are trying to get by.  Please remember downtown Santa Rosa neighbors are putting up with an unrelenting line of people for two solid weeks.  
• No cuts. Does that sound like something you heard in grade school? Same rule still applies. Show up with your whole party, then take turns getting coffee, food, haircuts, shopping. 
• Please leave your easy-ups, tents and other structures at home. Brewers had many problems with these blowing around, crashing into windows and blocking business entrances last year. Chairs, umbrellas, rain gear, warm clothes, hot coffee and a really good book are strongly encouraged.
• Bottle sharing is not allowed in line or in the pub. 

The City of Santa Rosa charges for parking on the street and in most lots from 8AM to 6PM with a two hour maximum. Brewers recommend the parking garages or the 10 hour lot at the corner of 3rd and E Streets. Better yet, just take a cab! Parking is free in the lots on Sundays!

Distribution:

Russian River Brewing Company will begin distributing Pliny the Younger on draft the week of February 8th in and around Sonoma County and the Bay Area and in Southern California that week or the following week. Kegs will be shipped to distributors in San Jose, Sacramento, Oregon, Colorado, and Philadelphia sometime in February, ship dates TBD. It is recommended that accounts tap it as soon as possible after receiving their delivery to preserve the freshness and integrity of the beer. This beer is not meant to age at all. Pliny the Younger is very much  the fresh catch of the day and best enjoyed right away!  

Click here for brewpub location, direction and hours.