Southern Sonoma Country Life: Green

Image - Petaluma Gap Winegrower's Alliance.

Cheers to five years! It was a pleasure to raise a glass at the Petaluma Hotel this new year. I was fortunate to be at the table of the very first, informal supper gathering of Petaluma area grapegrowers back in 2005 at my friend Teela Bihn's then vineyard estate. Who knew how significant that evening would become? On January 8^th 2023 the Petaluma Gap Winegrowers Alliance (PGWA) celebrated the first five years of the Petaluma Gap as an official American Viticultural Area (AVA) by hosting two events at Hotel Petaluma.

Photo: Frances Rivetti

“Today is a big day for us. Our primary mission is to promote the Petaluma Gap AVA and to help consumers understand where the grapes came from to make the wine inside our wine bottles; that is why we celebrate our anniversary on this day,” said Tom Gendall, President of the Petaluma Gap Winegrowers Alliance. January 8, 2018 was the first day that Petaluma Gap could be included as an AVA name on the front label of wine bottles, following the federal designation on December 7, 2017.

The PGWA began the day’s celebration by hosting more than twenty-five of Sonoma County Tourism’s Accredited Hospitality Professionals (AHPs) for a Petaluma Gap Accreditation Program (PGAP) training session, followed by a tasting of wines from some of the AVA’s most prestigious producers. PGAP was launched in 2022 to help wine and hospitality professionals learn about the unique growing conditions of the Petaluma Gap, and how the wind creates the signature profile of wines produced in the region. For more information about this program go to: https://petalumagap.com/certification/

Photo: Frances Rivetti

In the evening, the PGWA held its annual members meeting, to celebrate the achievements of the Alliance and to thank its many supporters. More than sixty members, including winegrowers, winemakers, industry supporters and friends of the Alliance gathered to celebrate the 5th anniversary. Gendall reviewed PGWA’s accomplishments over the last year, including the sold-out Wind to Wine Festival last August, the technical seminar series for the organization’s growers and winemakers, the launch of the PGAP certification program and the many new wines from the Petaluma Gap added to the group’s “90+ Point Club” in 2022.

Given its popularity, Gendall also announced that the Alliance aims to expand the next Wind to Wine Festival, tentatively scheduled for August 5^th, 2023 with more participating wineries and attendees. Those interested are invited to “Get Petaluma Gap News” by signing up online at https://petalumagap.com/contact/

Photo: Frances Rivetti

California’s premier cheese festival, the California Artisan Cheese Festival has announced this year's Festival dates: March 24-26, 2023. The popular festival will host the Marketplace at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds, seminars at various wineries, a cheese crawl at The Barlow in Sebastopol, farm and cheese producer tours throughout Sonoma and Marin Counties and beyond.

image: CA Artisan Cheese Festival

For the first time since 2019, this beloved event is back for three full days of cheese tasting, education and celebration, bringing together artisan cheesemakers, farmers, chefs, brewers, winemakers, distillers and cheese enthusiasts. Throughout the weekend, guests will 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. These public events include farm and producer tours, cheese tastings, pairings, educational seminars and demonstrations, a cheese crawl, and the Sunday Marketplace. Tickets are now on sale and are expected to sell out quickly.

“We are incredibly fortunate to be able to offer support and recognition for our amazing local cheesemaking community with the return of the California Artisan Cheese Festival, which has become one of the country’s most anticipated annual events for cheese lovers and foodies,” said Judy Groverman Walker, Event Producer for the California Artisan Cheese Festival. “And because of the tough circumstances over the last few years, we are extremely grateful that we can come back and give folks the opportunity to safely attend three days of beloved events while supporting California farmers and cheesemakers who have had a tough go of it throughout the pandemic.”

This three-day cheese extravaganza starts with Friday’s Farm Tours, and several of the tours will visit areas outside of the immediate Bay Area, including North Sacramento, Central Valley and Mendocino County.

Tour G which travels to the Spenker Family Farm in Lodi even includes goat yoga! Saturday will feature seminars and demos in some gorgeous wine country locations including Balletto Vineyards, Kendall Jackson Wine Center and Sugarloaf Wine Company.

Since the seminars all take place at wineries, each one has a unique wine pairing experience available as an add-on for those who’d like to stay and enjoy the site a little longer.

Saturday night features a brand new event, a Cheese Crawl at The Barlow! This walk-around tasting event will be similar to a bar crawl, but focused on cheese pairings with local sips and nibbles from restaurants, distilleries, breweries and more.

Sunday’s Artisan Cheese Tasting & Marketplace will take place at the Grace Pavilion at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds. For those who’d like to get the inside track and early entry into the Marketplace, Bubbles + Bites is a pre-marketplace light breakfast with author and radio personality Clark Wolf. Wolf will be giving tips on how to best experience everything the Marketplace has to offer as attendees enjoy breakfast bites and local bubbles.

The Artisan Cheese Tasting & Marketplace has always been considered the “grand finale” of the Festival because it gives cheese enthusiasts the opportunity to experience new, limited-production, and rare artisan cheeses as well as meet and sample the products from many Bay Area farmers, chefs, brewers, winemakers, distillers and artisan food purveyors.

The full schedule for the 2023 California Artisan Cheese Festival is as follows:

California Artisan Cheese Week
March 18-26, 2023
Various locations throughout Sonoma and Marin Counties

In the week leading up to the California Artisan Cheese Festival, cheese aficionados can expect to find special cheese-focused dishes and menus at some of their favorite local restaurants, tasting rooms, and businesses around the state for the second annual California Artisan Cheese Week. These businesses will be showing support for their favorite cheesemakers and guests will have the opportunity to enjoy their favorite standbys and discover new artisan cheeses in creative dishes, impressive cheese plates, special discounts, unique pairings and more.
**Specific details on participating restaurants and other businesses to be announced soon.

Friday, March 24, 2023

Producer & Farm Tours
Various Locations around Marin and Sonoma Counties and beyond

These fan-favorite intimate tours to various farms, creameries and artisan producers are some of the most popular events of the weekend, giving visitors a glimpse into the important role of the farmer and where cheese gets it 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, animals and cheesemakers behind their favorite local products and, of course, taste the fruits of their labor.

*Please Note: there will be three tours beyond the Bay Area offered – one to the North Valley, one to the Central Valley, and one to Mendocino County. Please check the information specific to each tour for start and end time, parking information and the location of bus departure.

**Specific details and tickets for the Producer & Farm Tours and locations may be found at https://www.artisancheesefestival.com/tours-2023

Saturday, March 25, 2023

Seminars and Pairing Demos
11a.m. to 12:15 p.m. and 1 to 2:15 p.m.
Various Locations around Santa Rosa and Windsor

Through a variety of interactive seminars and demos, cheese lovers have the opportunity to learn from some of the industry’s most knowledgeable experts, chefs and cheesemakers. Seminars will all take place at wineries, and will touch on topics including cheese and wine pairings, building cheese and charcuterie cones, and tasting cheese with chocolates. Each seminar location also features a special add on for guests who want to stay a little longer and enjoy their wines or participate in other tasting experiences.

**Full lineup of seminars and pairing demos may be found at https://www.artisancheesefestival.com/seminars

Cheese Crawl at The Barlow
4 to 6 p.m.
The Barlow in Sebastopol
Guests 21 and over only; rain or shine

Cheesemakers, restaurants, breweries and distilleries will come together for this light-hearted yet energetic night of discovery featuring California artisan cheese at different businesses throughout The Barlow. Each stop will host a cheesemaker offering samples to be paired with their partner food or beverage purveyor including regional artisan wine, cider, spirits and beer. This interactive and lively night of great cheesy nibbles culminates in a raffle where two lucky guests will win tickets to the 2024 Artisan Cheese Tasting and Marketplace. Everyone is encouraged to bring their appetites to this not-to-be-missed event.

Sunday, March 26, 2023

Bubbles + Bites + Early Entry to the Marketplace
9:45 to 10:45 a.m.
Showcase Café, Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Santa Rosa

Bubbles + Bites is the perfect way to start a Sunday full of tasting. Enjoy light breakfast bites featuring local sparkling wine and some insider tips from local radio personality and cheese enthusiast Clark Wolf. Clark and a special surprise guest chef will discuss tips and techniques on how to shop the Marketplace, and also how to use, pair and enjoy all of the fabulous products that complement the amazing cheeses and beverages that can be found at the Marketplace. Tickets include a festival logo glass and early entry into the Artisan Cheese Tasting & Marketplace at 11 a.m. before it opens to the public at 12 p.m.

*Those who purchase a ticket to Bubbles + Bites do not need to purchase a separate ticket to the Marketplace; entry is included with purchase of the Bubbles + Bites ticket.

Artisan Cheese Tasting & Marketplace
12 to 4 p.m.
Grace Pavilion at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds
1350 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa

The grand finale of the festival, the Marketplace brings together more than 100 artisan producers of the best California 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, as well as artisan products that complement cheese. Tickets include admission, live entertainment, author book signings, an Artisan Cheese Festival insulated cheese tote bag (complete with ice pack to keep your cheese cold) and a festival wine glass.
*Strollers are not permitted in the Marketplace. The event is rain or shine. Children’s tickets are available for ages 2-12 years old.

For more updates and details and to purchase tickets to the California Artisan Cheese Festival visit, http://www.artisancheesefestival.com/.

Generous sponsors of the Artisan Cheese Festival include American Ag Credit, Beehive Cheese Company, Bellwether Farms, Cowgirl Creamery, Culture Magazine, Cypress Grove Cheese, Donald and Maureen Green Foundation, Edible Marin & Wine Country, Fiscalini Cheese Co., Gourmet Foods International, Horizon Specialist, Lace House Linen, Marin French Cheese Co., Nicasio Valley Cheese Co., Oliver’s Markets, Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co., Pure Luxury Transportation, Real California Milk, Rumiano Cheese Co., Russian River Brewing, Rustic Bakery, Seismic Brewing Company/Golden State Cider, Sierra Nevada Cheese Co., Sonoma County Tourism and Visit Santa Rosa/City of Santa Rosa.

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. In keeping with its dedication to the community, the Artisan Cheese Festival has donated more than $165,000 in grants to nonprofit partners that support local sustainable agriculture including the California Artisan Cheese Guild. For more information about the California Artisan Cheese Festival, visit http://www.artisancheesefestival.com/ or follow them on Facebook, Instagramand Twitter.