Southern Sonoma Country Life

A Change of Location for the Sonoma County Based 12th Annual California Artisan Cheese Festival March 23rd to 25th

California’s premier cheese and wine event, the California Artisan Cheese Festival, is back for its 12th year, March 23-25, 2018, at its new location, the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa.

Though I'm sad to see the festival leave Petaluma, it had outgrown the Sheraton as a central location in recent years.  

The wildly popular festival, which attracts more than 2,500 guests, brings together artisan cheesemakers, vendors, authors, chefs, brewers, winemakers and turophiles (a connoisseur of cheese or, in short a cheese fancier) for three days of cheese tasting, education and celebration.

Throughout the weekend, cheese enthusiasts have the opportunity to experience new, limited-production, and rare artisan cheeses, and learn about the art of making cheese—all while supporting California farmers and cheesemakers.

The three-day public event includes cheese tastings, pairings, seminars and demonstrations, farm and creamery tours, and a culinary competition.

Tickets go on sale January 1, 2018, and are available at www.artisancheesefestival.com.

“The California Artisan Cheese Festival has become one of the most anticipated annual events for cheese lovers and foodies in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond,” said Judy Groverman Walker, executive director of the Festival. “It’s thrilling to have grown the Festival to the point where it makes sense to move to the Santa Rosa County Fairgrounds, bringing thousands of excited visitors to a community recently devastated by wildfires.

We’re partnering with local first responders as judges for the Best Bite competition. And, we’ll be able to accommodate larger crowds for the incredibly popular Marketplace. This year’s festival will no doubt be the best yet.”  

 

All Images Courtesy of the California Artisan Cheese Festival

The 2018 schedule includes the following events:

Friday, March 23: 

Farm, Creamery & Artisan Tours

8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Various Locations

Tickets: $100, $135

Back by popular demand, the intimate Artisan Tours will be held at various local farms, creameries and artisan purveyors, 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 walking tours where they can learn how cheese and other artisan products are made, meet the producers, farmers, and cheesemakers behind their favorite local products and, of course, taste the fruits of their labor. The tours will feature an educational component, such as a discussion or tasting led by an industry expect providing insights and further exploration on a variety of topics about cheese. Most tours include round-trip transportation from the Sheraton Sonoma County, cheese tastings, and lunch. Participants include Achadinha Cheese Co., Adobe Road Winery, AppleGarden Farm, Bleating Heart Cheese, Bohemian Creamery, Cowgirl Creamery, Lagunitas Brewing Company, Marin French Cheese, McEvoy Ranch, Nicasio Valley Cheese, Orland Farmstead Creamery, Pedrozo Dairy & Cheese, Pennyroyal Farm, Point Reyes Farmstead, Sonoma Portworks, Straus Home Ranch, Tomales Farmstead Creamery, and Wm. Cofield Cheesemakers, among others.

The Best Bite Competition – A Tribute to First Responders

6 to 9 p.m.

Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Hall of Flowers

Tickets: $80

Cheesemakers, chefs and cheesemongers share the stage with California’s first responders at Friday night’s Best Bite Competition. This year’s competition, which showcases more than two dozen cheesemakers, two dozen chefs and two dozen mongers, pays tribute to the brave men and women who risked their lives during California’s destructive fire storms in October 2017. Attendees will meet these local heroes as they take on the role of judges during this light-hearted yet energetic competition to see who can create the best bite using California artisan cheese. Each cheesemaker is paired with both a cheesemonger and chef. These professionals will create a delectable bite featuring their cheesemaker’s cheeses, all accompanied by regional artisan wine, cider and beer. This interactive, fun night of great cheesey nibbles culminates in guests voting for their favorite cheese creation and an exciting awards ceremony. Everyone is encouraged to bring their appetites to this not-to-be-missed event.

Saturday, March 24

Seminars, Education, and Pairing Demos

9:30 to 11 a.m., 12 to 1:30 p.m.,
and 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Sonoma County Fairgrounds

Tickets: $75

At a variety of interactive seminars and demos, cheese lovers have an opportunity to learn from some of the industry’s most knowledgeable industry experts, chefs and cheesemakers. The seminars range from pairing cheese with charcuterie and beer to exploring the palate and learning how to judge cheese like the experts. Confirmed instructors include prominent cheese writer and author Janet Fletcher; winemaker Arnaud Weyrich of Roederer Estate, California’s premier sparkling wine producer; renowned cheese expert Juliana Uruburu; Master Cicerone and Brewmaster Rich Higgins; American Cheese Society (ACS) Certified Cheese Professional® and seasoned specialty food aficionado Vanessa Chang; Cheese Twins Charlie and Michael Kalish; past judge of the International Cheese Awards, the World Cheese Awards, and the Global Cheese Awards Michael Landis; and Debra Dickerson and Peggy Smith of Cowgirl Creamery.

Cheese & Cocktails

5 to 7 p.m.

Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Saralee & Richard’s Barn

Tickets: $45

Start off the night with two hours of fun artisan cheese and cocktail tasting. Cheesemakers showcase some of their favorite cheeses while local craft distilleries share samplings of their best spirits, both as straight pours and mixing them into cocktails, for guests to discover and enjoy. Cheesemakers will be on hand sampling their favorite cheeses to pair with spirits and discover the Fantasy Cheese table – a plethora of artisan cheeses complete with assorted crackers, charcuterie and accoutrements to discover. This event presents the perfect opportunity to sample, compare, and pair some of California’s best cheeses and spirits.

 

Sunday, March 25

Bubbles and Brunch

9:30 to 11 a.m.

Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Saralee & Richard’s Barn

Tickets: $125

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. Tickets include brunch, sparkling wine and early entry into the Artisan Cheese Tasting & Marketplace at 11 a.m. before it opens to the public at 12 p.m.

 

Artisan Cheese Tasting & Marketplace

12 to 4 p.m.

Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Hall of Flowers

Tickets: $50 for adults, $25 for children 12 and under

 

 The grand finale of the festival, the Marketplace brings together more than 115 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 includes admission, author book signings, the cherished Artisan Cheese Festival insulated cheese tote bag, and a festival wine glass.

For more details about the California Artisan Cheese Festival and to purchase tickets, visit www.artisancheesefestival.com.

Generous sponsors of the California Artisan Cheese Festival include American AgCredit,  Beehive Cheese Company,  Bellwether Farms, Cowgirl Creamery, Culture Magazine, Cypress Grove, Edible Marin & Wine Country, Lagunitas Brewing Company, Marin French Cheese Company, Nicasio Valley Cheese Company, Pennyroyal Farm, Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company, Pure Luxury Transportation, Real California Milk, Rustic Bakery, Hotel Petaluma, Sheraton Sonoma County – Petaluma, Valley Ford Cheese & Creamery, Whole Foods Market, and Wild California.

 

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 $105,000 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 on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Christmas Eve Greetings From Southern Sonoma County (and Father Christmas)!

"Why, it is the real Father Christmas," I declared on greeting my old friend the man in red at the Great Dickens Christmas Fair in San Francisco this late December. "Why," he replied, "It is the real British woman!"

Sitting at my kitchen table this Christmas Eve morning, I'm reflecting on the year that was, one that none of us are likely to forget. Taking in the natural beauty outside of my window this December day, peaceful skies promise a calm and quiet Christmas here in Sonoma County. Let us take pause and make a collective mental note to Father Christmas/Santa, whatever you might call him in your house to deliver us a new and improved 2018 across the land, around the world. 

Wishing you and yours a Happy Christmas. Thank you for following my posts here at Southern Sonoma Country Life this year. Keep an eye out for the sound of sleigh bells over our rooftops tonight, dear friends . . . 

 

“Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies!” — Frances Pharcellus Church 

~

“Of course there is a Santa Claus. It’s just that no single somebody could do all he has to do. So the Lord has spread the task among us all. That’s why everybody is Santa Claus. I am. You are.” — Truman Capote 

~

“Ma!" she cried. "There is a Santa Claus, isn't there?"

"Of course there's a Santa Claus," said Ma. 

"The older you are, the more you know about Santa Claus," she said. "You are so big now, you know he can't be just one man, don't you? You know he is everywhere on Christmas Eve. He is in the Big Woods, and in Indian Territory, and far away in York State, and here. He comes down all the chimneys at the same time. You know that, don't you?"

"Yes, Ma," said Mary and Laura.

"Well," said Ma. "Then you see--"

"I guess he is like angels," Mary said, slowly. And Laura could see that, just as well as Mary could.

Then Ma told them something else about Santa Claus. He was everywhere, and besides that, he was all the time.

Whenever anyone was unselfish, that was Santa Claus.

Christmas Eve was the time when everybody was unselfish. On that one night, Santa Claus was everywhere, because everybody, all together, stopped being selfish and wanted other people to be happy. And in the morning you saw what that had done.

"If everybody wanted everybody else to be happy all the time, then would it be Christmas all the time?" Laura asked, and Ma said, "Yes, Laura.” _ Laura Ingalls Wilder 

~

“Believe in love. Believe in magic. Hell, believe in Santa Claus. Believe in others. Believe in yourself. Believe in your dreams. If you don’t, who will?” — John Bon Jovi

~

 

 

Annual Rare Fruit Tree Exchange (California Rare Fruit Growers) — Jan 28th 2018 Santa Rosa Veterans Memorial Building

photo: CRFG

Fruit tree cuttings/scions, and expert custom-grafted trees will be for sale to the public at low cost by the California Rare Fruit Growers (CRFG) garden club on Sunday January 28th 10:00AM until 1:00PM, at the Santa Rosa Veterans Memorial Building at 1351 Maple Ave, 95404, across from the Sonoma County Fairgrounds.

The annual CRFG.org Scion and Plant Exchange is where over 500 varieties of common, rare and experimental scions and fruiting plants from all over Northern California are available. $5 entry fee includes a selection of scions and includes all pruning and grafting classes.

Lectures are: 10AM Grafting by UC Master Gardener Fred Revetria, at 11AM Planting, Irrigating and Fertilizing Your Trees and Roots by author Robert Kourik, and 12:00 –Pruning Your Fruit Trees. Custom grafting of your scion selections to available rootstocks by expert grafters is available for just a few dollars each.

Learn how to make your own “fruit salad tree” or backyard  “fruit jungle”! Proceeds fund agricultural scholarships and donations to worthy fruit-oriented non-profit organizations. Our chapter has donated over $15,000 to local agricultural organizations, grants and scholarships.

 Bring a gallon baggie, tape and Sharpie to mark your scion acquisitions.

CRFG is proud to support fruit-related and agriculture-related groups such as Slow Food, CropMobster, Sonoma State University, The Heirloom Expo, Farm to Pantry Gleaners, Gravenstein Apple Fair, The Original Farmers’ Market, and others.

Save 15% on McEvoy Ranch Cool Climate Wine Releases in Celebration of the Petaluma Gap's New AVA Status

photos - McEvoy Ranch

News that the Petaluma Gap AVA has come to fruition after many years of hard work ushering it through is reverberating happily throughout our winemaking and sustainable food community. 

If you missed my post on this recent good news, click here.

"What is the Petaluma Gap, you ask? Technically, it’s an AVA-an American Viticultural Area, a fancy word for a growing region," explain the folk at McEvoy. "Think Russian River, Sonoma Coast . . . special places perfectly suited to growing the best wine grapes in the world. These are legally defined regions, and the approval process is long and arduous. Petaluma Gap took three years to approve, which is why we’re pretty excited about this news. It is one of the smallest, most well defined of these regions, ideally suited to growing grapes like Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah-and McEvoy Ranch is one of the very few wineries with the approval to put this designation on our labels."

 A 2016 Stubbs Ranch Chardonnay is the first Chardonnay winemakers at McEvoy have ever made-and it’s a stunner, if they do say so themselves. Stubbs Ranch is one of McEvoy's neighbors in West Marin, a cool climate location perfect for growing crisp, flavorful Chardonnay fruit.

Made in a fresh, bright non-oak style, this is a Chardonnay for those who think they don’t like Chardonnay. I just ordered some for myself as I know how great the fruit is from the Stubbs family vineyards.

Also being offered at a celebratory discount is:

2014 The Evening Standard Pinot Noir 

and an Italian classic 

2014 Il Poggio Montepulciano

If you're wine and oil club member you get a break on all of the prices of McEvoy's organic products year round, but you don't have to be a member to take advantage of the current 15% new release discount online through Dec 15th. Great gifts for wine lovers on your list (or treat yourself!).  

 

 

Jude Mooney Photography & In The Making (in American Alley, Petaluma) — Portraits on the Pink Couch, Saturday, December 16th, 2017

Don't miss out on an opportunity on a great deal for a photo shoot with Sonoma County portrait photographer extraordinaire, Jude Mooney, in Petaluma on Saturday, December 16th, 2017. 

I've had the pleasure of working with Jude lately on portraits and features for a "Behind the Frame" series for the Petaluma Arts Center & over the years Jude has captured my family on print film with several photos that I cherish. Her work takes my breath away. 

If you're not familiar with Jude's luminous portraiture check out her website here. 

Live link to snap up a sitting : jude@judemooney.com 

or call Jude directly at 707 778 1928.

Portraits on the Pink Couch take place at In The Making, in American Alley, in the heart of Historic Downtown Petaluma.

 

Help Rebuilding Together Petaluma Bring Living Conditions of a Vietnam Veteran and a Senior Quadriplegic Neighbor Up to Health & Safety Home Standards This Holiday Season

Consider buying a gift this Holiday Season that will truly make a difference in the lives of others.  

At Rebuilding Together Petaluma, the most pressing needs this winter are:

•  to raise $5,600 to bring the living conditions in a Vietnam veteran's mobile home up to Safe and Healthy Home standards. Matthew needs a hot water heater, floor coverings replaced, a new refrigerator, extensive rat abatement and exclusion and urgent plumbing upgrades. With an annual income of $14,000 Matthew needs and deserves our community's help
•  
• to raise $12,500 to modify the home of William, a 60 year old quadriplegic man who cannot safely reach his kitchen or bathroom sink, cannot take a shower or open and close the sliding glass doors. William also needs a front entry wheelchair ramp. His only way in and out of his home is a  hard to use back entry ramp.  With an annual income of  $15,000, William cannot take care of these things on his own. 

Make a difference in how safe or healthy a Petaluma neighbor with very limited income will be this winter and for many years to come.

Let a tax deductible donation to Rebuilding Together Petaluma be your best gift this holiday season. Giving to RTP is a unique bargain, since every dollar given results in 4 dollars worth of home health & safety improvements.  The labor of our amazing volunteers makes your charity dollars worth four times more!

Donate online at www.rtpetaluma.org or call 707-765-3944 or mail to 

Rebuilding Together Petaluma

301 Payran Street
Petaluma, CA  94952
Phone: (707) 765-3944
Cell: 707-478-4422

pic via Pinterest 

 

Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau Establishes Petaluma Gap Winegrowers Alliance as its Newest Designated American Viticultural Area (AVA)

 

A personal note to breaking news that puts Petaluma on the map, officially, for its distinctive grape growing terroir. "The very first meeting to talk about the possibility of a Petaluma Gap American Viticultural Area was a dinner party, held at my dining room table in Petaluma in November of 2004," says co-founder and past president of the Petaluma Gap Winegrower's Alliance, Petaluma native and former Pinot Noir grape grower, Teela Bihn. 

Present with Teela that evening were Hoot and Linda Smith of Kastania Vineyard , Michael Ridgeway, Kamal and Pari Azari of Azari Vineyards Mary and Tom Stubbs of Stubbs Vineyard, Jim and Gayle Crayne of Armagh Vineyard, Timo Rivetti (Que Syra Syrah) and myself.

This initial group of neighbor growers worked on planting the seeds for an AVA and several members (Gayle especially) have been actively involved with the Petaluma Gap throughout this 13 year process of developing a board and volunteers. Kudos and congratulations to the many vineyard owners and winemakers and supporters of the Petaluma Gap who worked tirelessly over the years on fulfilling this AVA vision for our micro-region. 

The Petaluma Gap Winegrowers Alliance (PGWA) has announced this December 2017 that the final rule making by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), establishing the Petaluma Gap on California’s North Coast as its newest designated AVA.This ruling defines the unique grape-growing area in southern Sonoma County and northern Marin County and acknowledges the region’s distinctive aspects based on topography and the effects of persistent wind and fog on the grapevines.

Of the 4,000 acres of vineyards in the 200,000-acre region, 75% are planted to Pinot Noir with most of the remaining acres equally planted to Chardonnay and Syrah; other grape varieties comprise less than 1% of the planted acreage.

 “We are very excited to announce the official approval of the Petaluma Gap AVA in the Federal Register” said Rickey Trombetta, President of the Board of Directors of the PGWA. "Being able to proudly include this designation on our labels makes it easier for consumers to seek out and identify the wines of our members.

Local winemakers have long known that grapes grown in the Petaluma Gap ripen more slowly than in surrounding regions, allowing later harvest times which results in more complex flavor development while preserving natural acidity. With today's finalization of the AVA, wine lovers and members of the wine trade will have the opportunity to become more familiar with the distinctive quality and flavor profile of Petaluma Gap wines.”

 The PGWA petition was submitted to the TTB in February 2015 and the proposal to establish the Petaluma Gap as an official AVA was published by the bureau in October, 2016. The final rule was published on December 7, 2017.

 The Petaluma Gap AVA includes some 80 winegrowers and 9 wineries, with additional fruit sold to many other wineries throughout northern California. For more information see www.petalumagap.com. 

 

 

About The Petaluma Gap Winegrowers Alliance

 

Founded in 2005, the Petaluma Gap Winegrowers Alliance (PGWA) exists to educate the wine trade and consumers about the Petaluma Gap and to increase awareness of the region’s unique growing conditions and resulting wine quality. PGWA additionally supports member winegrowers and vintners within the region through ongoing programs and communications designed to help maximize their success within the industry. The group’s membership is made up of grape growers, wineries, associate business members, sponsors and local community members with a passion for the region and its wine. Throughout the year, the group conducts educational events and tastings independently and through the Sonoma County Vintners.

 

Aqus Cafe at Foundry Wharf Small Works Holiday Show & Reception Saturday Dec 9th, 3pm to 5pm

Red Barn Studios Holiday Sale, December 9th & 10th 2017 — Bodega Ave, Petaluma

Light The Path To A Child's Success — Question & Answer Session Mentor Me Cavanagh Rec Center, Petaluma. Tues Dec 5th 5.30 to 7pm — Make 2018 the Year