Southern Sonoma Country Life

Tickets Now on Sale for the California Artisan Cheese Festival, March 27th to 29th, 2020

Tickets are now on sale for the country's premier cheese festival, the California Artisan Cheese Festival, March 27-29, 2020.  This year’s weekend-long Festival  takes place in and around the Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Santa Rosa’s historic Flamingo Hotel, and at various local farms, restaurants, creameries and tasting rooms of artisan producers. The Festival brings together cheesemakers, farmers, educators, authors, chefs, cheese mongers, brewers, distillers, and winemakers from all over California for three days of cheese tasting, education and celebration.     Tickets are also on sale for  the ever-popular Farm and Producer Tours; Saturday night’s Cheese, Bites and Booze! celebration; an exciting new crop of educational hands-on Seminars and Pairing Demos; Sunday’s delectable Bubbles & Brunch; and the weekend’s grand finale Artisan Cheese Tasting & Marketplace.  Some of the noteworthy Seminar topics being offered this year include a Hands-On Cheesemaking seminar where attendees will learn to make mozzarella, chèvre (fresh goat cheese) and burrata; and a Build Your Own Cheese Board seminar where guests will learn tricks for creating their very own visually stunning, Instagram-worthy cheese board. Details about more of Friday and Saturday’s exciting tours and seminars are as follows:   Farm and Producer Tours & Lunch      Back by popular demand are two days of intimate producer tours taking place on Friday and Saturday around Northern California, where guests will explore various local farms, creameries and artisan purveyors. During the guided walking tours, guests learn how cheese, ciders and other products are made, meet the producers, farmers and cheesemakers behind our favorite local products and, of course, taste the fruits of their labor. This year’s Festival is offering six tours on Friday, and two on Saturday, and every tour includes round-trip transportation and lunch.   Many of the tours grant behind-the scenes access to new producers who do not regularly offer tours. For example, Friday’s Tour B gives attendees the opportunity to meet and taste one of the state’s newest cheese and butter producers, Bivalve Creamery, which operates out of the former Cowgirl Creamery space. Guests will also wind their way up Highway One to enjoy lunch in Point Reyes Station at the original Cowgirl Creamery, where their famous Red Hawk cheese is produced using milk exclusively from Bivalve Dairy. Finally, attendees will tour Bivalve Dairy, overlooking Tomales Bay, and learn about their commitment to sustainable farming practices. As always, every tour allows guests to observe behind-the-scenes aspects of the farms and meet the hardworking farmers behind the state’s incredible artisan cheeses. Each tour includes round-trip transportation as well as cheese tastings and lunch. Cheese is also available for purchase at many of the farm stops.    The Farm and Producer Tours are always the first to sell out; for specific details including locations, timing, and to purchase tickets, please visit www.artisancheesefestival.com; $150; Friday, March 27 and Saturday, March 28.    Seminars and Pairing Demonstrations  Bringing attendees face-to-face with the experts who work with and create some of America’s best artisan cheeses, the Saturday seminars and pairing demonstrations tend to sell out early every year. Taking place at Santa Rosa’s historic and beautiful Flamingo Hotel Conference Resort & Spa; Relish Culinary Adventures in Healdsburg; and Kendall-Jackson Wine Estates & Gardens in Fulton, industry experts will engage and enlighten guests on a variety of topics, such as:  “Taste the Future: California’s Newest Cheesemakers,” an intriguing exploration of the state’s rich dairy history and a delectable introduction to the newest cheesemakers on the block with author and cheese expert Clark Wolf;  “Build Your Own Cheese Boards: Get Your Knives and Go!,” an interactive and informative lesson about how to build gorgeous, Instagram-ready cheese boards while sipping wine and sampling cheese with author and cheese board aficionado Laura Werlin; “Cheers to Cheese,” kicks your cheese tasting up a notch by pairing local favorites with fine sparkling wines from California’s acclaimed Roederer Estate, with author, journalist and Planet Cheese publisher, Janet Fletcher and Roederer’s very own winemaker Arnaud Weyrich; “Cheese and Cocktails: The Basics of Bitters, Booze & Cheese,” a flavorful lesson that teaches attendees why bitters and spirits aren't just for happy hour. Vanessa Chang, ACS CCP and Lassa Skinner, Author and Co-Founder of Culture: the word on cheese, will distill the basics of the various spirits, demystify the universe of bitters, and help identify the cheese to round out cocktails like Manhattans, Mai Tais, and more; “Hands-On Cheesemaking: Mozzarella, Chèvre, Burrata,” this hands-on, three-hour class will teach attendees how to make three fresh cheeses while talking through the history of cheesemaking, important facts about milk quality and differences, as well as the complex biology and chemistry behind turning milk into tasty cheese curds and protein-rich whey.  This seminar will be taught by ACS Certified Cheese Professional and founder of FARMcurious, Nicole Easterday; and “Cheese & Wine: Better Together,” a delicious and unique lesson about cheese’s favorite pairing partner with one of Sonoma County’s foremost cheese experts, Chef Tracey Shepos Cenami of Jackson Family Wines. Set at the picturesque Kendall-Jackson Wine Estates & Gardens, Chef Tracey will guide tasters through five cheese courses, pairing each with wines from Kendall-Jackson and her homemade, signature accompaniments.   Seminars and Pairing Demonstrations to take place at the Flamingo Hotel in Santa Rosa, Relish Culinary Adventures in Healdsburg, and Kendall-Jackson Wine Estates & Gardens in Fulton. Tickets are from $75-$125. Seminar details, including price per seminar, location and start time may be found at www.artisancheesefestival.com.    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.   The Flamingo Hotel and a number of other Santa Rosa hotels are offering special discounted rates on rooms for Festival-goers.   Links for discounted booking can be found here:  https://www.artisancheesefestival.com/lodging.

Wishing You a Very Merry Christmas Filled with Comfort & Quiet Cheer

photos via Pinterest

“My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?”

Bob Hope

“He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree.”

Roy L. Smith

“Christmas is doing a little something extra for someone.”

Charles. M Schulz

“When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things - not the great occasions - give off the greatest glow of happiness.”

Bob Hope

“A lovely thing about Christmas is that it's compulsory, like a thunderstorm, and we all go through it together.”

Garrison Keillor 

“No matter how much falls on us, we keep plowing ahead. That's the only way to keep the roads clear.”

Greg Kincaid

Frances' Favorite Things — Time to Wrap Up the Holiday Gift Guide 2019 with Some Locally Sourced Home Comforts

Are we ready to wrap up the holiday shopping? Yes, please, I know I am. No matter how streamlined and simple we try to keep things, if we've a lot of good people in our lives (which we all need) then there's likely a long list of little and large niceties to share in the season of giving.

If you're anywhere near downtown Petaluma you can get the job done in a couple of square blocks. One of the sweetest little stores within a store at 122 Kentucky Street is Monarch Apothecary and Trading Company with its small batch artisan herbs and soaps, teas, chocolates and other such delights. Monarch has done the job for us by putting a selection of gift boxes together, something for everyone on our list.

Given the nip in the air this December, an old-fashioned hot water bottle keeps the heating bill down at night! I have one of these little wonders from Maude at 10 Western Avenue and highly recommend. In fact, I love all the gift items in Maude. Such a beautifully curated store. 

Every once in a while I make it up to the top floor of Sienna Antiques on Petaluma Boulevard, downtown, especially for a browse through Sonoma County designer Wendy Owen's sumptuous textile offerings. Look at this gorgeous star cushion. Lovely! Click here for Wendy's website. 

I'm finally closing in on finishing my holiday shopping, I hope you are too! I've been dashing around town with book deliveries. Don't forget my new suspense novel Big Green Country is also available in Copperfield's Petaluma and online at Amazon and Barnes and Noble and on Kindle. 

 

 

Take a Deep Breath & Sort out that Holiday Shopping! Stocking Stuffer Suggestions — Frances' Favorite Things — Holiday Gift Guide 2019 —

Petaluma-based Marigold Apothecary teas and herbal products are super great and I can't think of anyone on my list who wouldn't appreciate an all-natural herbal tea blend from this increasingly popular local purveyor. 

Marigold Apothecary has an easy-to-use online store (click here) and will also be back in the Bank Hub (old Seed Bank) building this coming Saturday (Dec 14th) for a second weekend in a row of local makers' holiday wares, this time with the Clucktown Collective (see poster below).

Seeing as I was feeling under the weather this weekend, I came home from signing books with the Breath Deeply blend and it is delicious and soothing. 

Local Lavender Bee Farm honey has also made it into my holiday pantry before hitting the stocking stash. Tuck this wonderful local honey into any locavore's holiday stocking and it'll be a winner.  Click here for Lavender Bee Farm website and online store. 

Sunday afternoon I attended my friend Suzanne's book launch at Penngrove Market. It was such a great gathering and celebration of her new memoir The Cardinal Club (another great gift you could stuff into a flexible stocking along with my new book, Big Green Country of course! Ask Copperfield's Books to order both if they don't already have several in stock & they should by now, or order directly from the authors as we're both local.)

Afterwards, my girlfriend Lesley and I wandered across the street to the treasure trove that is Hello Penngrove on Main Street. If you've yet to check out this charming little gift store, take a drive to Penngrove and stop in to shop for mugs, cards, candles, socks, kids gifts, all sorts of fun stuff. 

It has to be said, I could easily do a bunch of my holiday shopping in Penngrove Market. So much more than a grocery store and neighborhood hub, its beautifully curated range of refreshments, chocolates, fresh flowers, cards and unique local food products is a delight to browse and it's a pleasure to come home with new things to taste. 

Sebastopol based Farm Chocolate  hits the spot for chocolate lovers. I've a stash of espresso praline Sonoma County crafted choccies for gifting if they last that long. 

No local holiday stocking stuffer guide can run without mention of Heebe Jeebe on Fourth St, everyone's favorite go-to for originality and whimsy and lots of local Petaluma goodies and awesome greetings cards to boot. I especially love this year's neon Christmas trees for the bolder, less traditional decorators out there! Granted the trees may be a tad too big for your stocking, but they deserve their own mention. 

 

Frances' Favorite Things — Holiday Gift Guide 2019 — Aqus Cafe 37 Artists' Small Works Holiday Art Show

Stuck for gift ideas? Who doesn't love a beautiful piece of original art? And these are small enough to squeeze into any ample art collection. I always look forward to the annual Small Works Holiday Art Show at Aqus Cafe at Foundry Wharf. Stop in this December and pick out a piece or two. Prices vary according to local artist, but many are very affordable. 

Aqus Cafe, 189 H Street, Petaluma. Click here for more info, cafe offerings and December events. 

 

 

Frances' Favorite Things — Holiday Gift Guide 2019 — Downtown Merchants' Annual Open House, Saturday December 7th

My goodness, what a fantastic day of festive cheer and entertainment and customer appreciation and incentives for the annual Downtown Merchant Holiday Open House in the historic boutique district of Petaluma this Saturday, December 7th, 2019.

Thanks to Marie McCusker and team with our wonderful Downtown Association for putting all the bells and whistles and candy canes together for a holiday shopping day to remember for locals and visitors alike. 

If you can't make it downtown this Saturday, do make it a priority to shop locally this December. Your business is more than welcome in any of our local stores, eateries and services, including the many small and medium sized cafes and businesses that are not located in downtown itself. 

Looking through the list of merchants who are putting on something special during the day, it's hard to pick out favorites other than to say that I always find something I love in our downtown boutiques and shoe stores. And if you're really stuck for gift ideas for someone special on your list you can't go wrong with presents for the pantry and holiday table from Sonoma Spice Queen and iLeoni or a massage certificate from Soft Shell. 

Field Works is one of several local merchants offering curated, local gift baskets. I recently picked up a blue and white Delftware Santa at Summer Cottage Antiques, a reminder that affordable vintage treasures abound in our antique-heavy town. Gallery one is an emporium of handmade jewelry and art and decorative gifts that is a great go-to for that something original or out-of-the-ordinary. 

Books are the best gifts! I will be joining the creative makers in the Small Vendor Fair inside The Bank Community Hub and Marketplace for a few hours during the festivities with copies of my book, Big Green Country, still hot off the press. Stop by and say hi between 11am and 5 pm.  

 

(corner of Petaluma Blvd & Washington)

 

11 - 5	Small Vendor Fair
11:30	The Apple Tree Morris Dancers
12 - 3	Capvara the Clown	Fun & interactive family friendly performances
12 - 5	Free Balloon Art & Face Painting	with Budderball & the PHS Cheer Team
3:30	Alchemy Vocal Performance
3 - 5	Hope, Love & Magic	Anna & Elsa telling the story of Frozen 1 & 2

 

MERCHANT OFFERINGS

 

Alchemia Gallery	1 - 4 pm cider and treats
Athletic Soles	Free runner gloves with every shoe purchase
Ava Ln. Hairdressing	Christmas music and raffle tickets for products
Barber Cellars	$5 off any bottle purchase
Bay-Ti Modern Rustic Living	20% off anything in the store
Chelsea Antiques	Treats in the store
Copperfields Books	Free balloon art from 11-1 with Paula Moors
Club Pilates	25% off retail
Clutch	25% off all handbags all week! Drinks and snacks in store
Ethical Clothing	Cider, cookies, treats & special promotions all day
Field Works	Refreshments and a drawing for 2 gift baskets
Flower Child Consignments	$5 off for every $25 spent. Caricature artist "Faces by Audrey"
Gallery One	Happy Hour after 4 pm and 50% off selected items
Hollingsworth Jewelry	Appreciation party, door prizes and giveaways
iLeoni	Hot coco & cookies at 12
J. Fermi	20% off any one item
Louis Thomas	Cider and cookies
McGuire's Pub	3:30 West County Harmony Traditional & Seasonal Music Caroling
Nan Winters	Prosecco & snacks. Discounts on selected merchandise
Obsessed	15% of purchase of $150 or more
Passeggiata Shoes	Bring a same day receipt from another Petaluma shop for 10% off
Petaluma Pet Company	Dog treats for visiting dogs
Petaluma Pie Company	Annual Pie tasting from 12 - 3 pm
Phoenix Optical Petaluma	Goodies and raffle give away, plus 30% off discounts
Razzle Dazzle	Hot cider, cookies, appetizers & cheer
Red Umbrella	Refreshments, music and special sale rack
Riverfront Cafe	Free glass of wine or beer with purchase of entree
Robindira Unsworth	Treat in the store
Shunzi	Food, drink and discounts from 3 - 7 pm
Soft Shell	Refreshments & snacks, 15% off all purchases
Sole Desire	20% off all boots (excluding UGGS) & $0 off all shoes
Sonoma Spice Queen	Warm drinks and treats
Spiral Jewelry & Artisery	Special thank you gift to customers who spend over $100, cookies
Splendid Little Shoppe	Cider & cookies and splendid little raffle kick-off
Stink	Champagne & treats; save 20%
Stockhome Restaurant	Kids eat for $2.50 off the kids menu
Summer Cottage Antiques	Appetizers and hot apple cider
The Strike Zone	Serving cookies and sale on select items
Threads A Boutique	Refreshments in the store & pastries supplied by Bright Bear Bakery
Wicked Slush	25% off all hot drinks
Yankee Girl Antiques	Champagne, cider and sweets

 

Frances' Favorite Things — Holiday Gift Guide 2019 — Beautiful Blooms by Flower Casita

Now that I'm coming up for air after getting my novel Big Green Country out into the big, wide world, I'll be posting a little more frequently here on Southern Sonoma Country Life and in the run up to Christmas, sharing some of my favorite local things for gift ideas and activities.

I love that Flower Casita Floral Design in Petaluma's Theatre Square now has its own online ordering website store for deliveries in the south county. There's nothing nicer than a browse in store, inside Theatre Square, on 2nd Street, opposite the sweet shop but if you're pushed for time, you simply can't go wrong with a gorgeous floral arrangement or holiday table centerpiece. Simple as that. 

Click here for web store. 

128 Black Friday Wildfire Fundraiser for Kincade Wildfire Victims — Treat the Family to a Wonderful Day of Wine Tasting in the Alexander Valley

Looking for somewhere you and your family can go after Thanksgiving? Explore the wineries along Taste Destination 128 for a day of family fun. Fifty % of all ticket sales will be donated to the United Way of Wine Country in supporting Kincade Wildfire victims, survivors & evacuees immediate needs. Visit eight Alexander Valley wineries, each offering holiday wine special and delicious holiday food bites!

The festive participating wineries are: Alexander Valley Vineyards, Hanna, Hawkes, deLorimier, Soda Rock, Trentadue, Simi and Zialena.

Take in the gorgeous views of Wine County in what’s known as the hidden gem of Sonoma County, Alexander Valley.

Fri, November 29, 2019

11:00 AM – 4:00 PM PST

Location

Alexander Valley

95448

Pre-Sale Tickets $50 General Admission | $40 Members | $15 Designated Driver Purchase Tickets

View Map

Shopping for friends and family this holiday season, look no further. Wine makes for a perfect gift for your loved ones. Share the joy of your favorite wine from Alexander Valley with your family and friends.

Tickets include a wristband to taste at all 7 wineries, a food ticket per winery, and a Taste Destination 128 logo glass.

Pre-Sale Tickets:

$50 General Admission | $40 Members | $15 Designated Driver/ Children

Please select your check in winery when purchasing tickets.

 

Participating Wineries:

Alexander Valley Vineyards

Tomato Soup Shooter topped with Grilled Cheese

 

deLorimier

Sweet Potato, Ham and Bean Soup

Paired with our 2017 Primitivo

 

HANNA Winery & Vineyards

Winter Squash Gratin and Stuffed Pork

 

Hawkes

Fall Apart Ribs with a Savory Cabbage Slaw

 

Simi

Nonna's Meatballs with Tierra Farms Polenta

 

Soda Rock Winery

Beef Short Ribs Over Polenta

 

Trentadue

Caramelized Shallot and Blue Cheese Tarts with Crispy Leeks

 

Zialena

Grazing Table from Field and Farm Bountiful Boards & Tables featuring Gourmet Cheese, Charcuterie, and more!

Windrush Farm Holiday Art Faire — Saturday & Sunday Nov 30th and Dec 1st 10 am to 3 pm

Raymond Briggs "The Snowman" Featuring Steven Harrison, Tenor from The Metropolitan Opera of NYC, Hotel Petaluma Dec 19, 20 & 21 — Presented by Petaluma Shakespeare Company

This December, Petaluma Shakespeare Company presents a Christmas musical animated story time, The Snowman, by Raymond Briggs, a classic, heartwarming experience that brings more than a snowman to life for the whole family. Guaranteed to spread Christmas cheer and childlike wonder. Performed at the Hotel Petaluma in the main ballroom and featuring Steven Harrison, tenor from The Metropolitan Opera of NYC.

I remember when Raymond Briggs' The Snowman movie took Britain by holiday snow storm in 1985. Fifteen-year-old Welsh choirboy Aled Jones' angelic rendition of "Walking in the Air" topped the UK charts that Christmas. I was in my late teens and still living in England. 

When I became a mom to my own three sons here in Northern California, I made it our tradition to watch The Snowman every Christmas Eve. I wanted my boys to feel the magic and simplicity and joy of the message of The Snowman. 

And so I'm really excited to attend the first of three shows produced by the wonderful Kristina Wenz and Petaluma Shakespeare Company, this holiday season, right here in the heart of Petaluma in the lovely main ballroom of the Petaluma Hotel. Won't you join me?

 

• Thursday, December 19th @ 8pm
• Friday, December 20th@ 7pm
• Saturday, December 21st @ 7pm
• $10/General Admission
• Tickets at http://www.brownpapertickets.com