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California’s Artisan Cheese Scene Takes Center Stage
March 20-22, 2026
Tickets on sale now:
Use Promotion code CheeseTrail15 to save 15%!
March 20-22, 2026
SANTA ROSA, CA. —January 20, 2026—California’s premier cheese event, the California Artisan Cheese Festival, is celebrating its 20th year, March 20-22, 2026 in and around Sonoma County with three days of cheese tastings, education, and celebration. The Festival showcases the people, stories, and flavors that make California cheese so special.
Produced by the California Artisan Cheese Guild, an organization that includes cheesemakers, experts and educators from the world of artisan cheese, the Festival offers a weekend of activities designed to connect people with the cheesemaking community and inspire deeper appreciation and enjoyment of artisan cheese.
“Over the last 20 years, California’s artisan cheesemakers have continued to grow and thrive,” says Alyssa Gilbert, Executive Director of the California Artisan Cheese Festival and the California Artisan Cheese Guild. “Last year over 2,000 guests from 28 states including California, and five countries, attended at least one event – proof that people will travel for good cheese!” She adds, “We’re thrilled to celebrate 20 years of our incredible cheesemaking community and look forward to welcoming cheese lovers who have come every year as well as first timers!”
Throughout the weekend, guests will have the opportunity to taste new, limited production and rare artisan cheeses while supporting California’s farmers and cheesemakers in their ongoing efforts to advance sustainability. Produced by the California Artisan Cheese Guild, the California Artisan Cheese Festival strives to increase cheese appreciation and educate consumers about artisan cheese by celebrating California’s cheesemakers and farmers.
Visit ArtisanCheeseFestival.com for details and to purchase tickets. Ticket prices range from $40.00 to $185.00. All sales are final.
2026 California Artisan Cheese Festival Activities
A Taste of California’s Cheesemaking Past, Present, and Future
Friday, March 20 | Farm and Producer Tours
These intimate guided tours to farms, creameries, and artisan producers are some of the most popular events of the weekend and sell out early. They offer guests a rare opportunity to go deep into local food culture, meet the cheesemaker, 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. Tours are $185 per person and depart and return to Flamingo Resort and Spa; Friday, March 20: 9:00 am to 3:00pm.
Saturday, March 21 | Seminars, Pairing Demos and Workshops
Cheese lovers can expand their knowledge and palates with some of the industry’s most respected experts who will be leading a variety of seminars and workshops. New this year will be a cheese and caviar pairing seminar (with bubbles!), a raclette demonstration, and an industry-only cheese care seminar. Seminar schedule: Saturday, March 21: 11:00am - 12:00pm and 1:30pm - 2:30pm; $85 each; Seminars will be at the Flamingo Resort & Spa unless otherwise noted.
Saturday, March 21 | Cheese Crawl at the Barlow
The Cheese Crawl at The Barlow in Sebastopol is an evening of grazing and good times. Participants receive a map directing them to various businesses where cheesemakers will offer samples of their finest cheeses, accompanied by a featured food or beverage pairing. This experience is exclusively for guests 21 and over and sells out every year. Saturday, March 21: VIP early entry $60 per person 3:00pm - 6:00pm. General Admission $40 per person; 4:00pm - 6:00pm.
Sunday, March 22 | VIP Bubbles & Bites
Raise a toast to the Festival’s 20th anniversary with a glass of Goldeneye bubbles and some cheesy brunch small bites at Saralee & Richard’s Barn at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds. Following brunch, take a short stroll to the Grace Pavilion and for coveted early entry into the Artisan Cheese Tasting & Marketplace at 11:00 am. Connect with the cheesemakers, discover new favorites and enjoy a more relaxed and spacious Marketplace before doors open to the public at 12:00pm. Tickets $145 per person and includes Bubbles & Bites and Early Entry to the Marketplace. Sunday, March 22, 9:45 am - 4:00pm.
Sunday, March 22 | Artisan Cheese Tasting and Marketplace
Taste, sip, and explore! The Artisan Cheese Tasting & Marketplace is the Festival’s grand finale and a feast for the senses. It brings together more than 100 artisan cheese and specialty food producers, as well as winemakers, brewers, distillers, cider makers, and chefs who will offer their handcrafted cheeses, delectable products that pair with cheese, boutique wines, craft beers, ciders, mead, and more. Enjoy live music and a beer & wine garden while you sample and have a chance to purchase seasonal and limited production cheeses and artisan products. Every guest gets a wine glass and an Artisan Cheese Festival insulated tote bag to load up with their
Marketplace finds. $85 per person; $30 for children age 12 and under. Must be accompanied by an adult. Sunday, March 22: 12:00pm - 4:00pm. Grace Pavilion at Sonoma County Fairgrounds.
California Artisan Cheese Festival Details
● When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday, March 20-22, 2026
● Where: In and around Sonoma County. The Festival’s signature Artisan Cheese Tasting and Marketplace takes place at Grace Pavilion, Sonoma County Fairgrounds, 1350 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95404
● Tickets: On sale now at ArtisanCheeseFestival.com.
2026 Sponsors (to-date):
Generous sponsors include: Donald & Maureen Green Foundation, Gold Ridge Organic Farms, Goldeneye Anderson Valley, Beehive Cheese, California Milk Advisory Board, Cowgirl Creamery, Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co., Qualtech American Inc., Cypress Grove, Nicasio Valley Cheese Company, Laura Chenel, Marin French Cheese Co., City of Santa Rosa, Visit Santa Rosa, Old Caz Beer, Woodenhead, The Caviar Co., Jackson Family Wines, Pennyroyal Farm and Cheese Trail.
The Flamingo Resort & Spa is the Premier Hotel Partner of the 2026 California Artisan Cheese Festival.
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 over $225,000 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 on Facebook and Instagram.
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