Cheese lovers rejoice! The annual California Artisan Cheese Festival returns to the Santa Rosa area later this month. Tickets are still available for the 17th year of the event, which includes three days of tastings, demos and more. This year is the first time since 2019 that the event will be held.

The festival began in 2007 as the first-ever, weekend-long celebration and exploration of handcrafted cheeses, foods, wines and beers from California. As a community supporter, the Artisan Cheese Festival has donated more than $165,000 in grants to non-profit partners that support local sustainable agriculture.

The event takes place March 24-26 and features hundreds of cheesemakers, winemakers, olive oil producers and farmers. For the grand finale of the festival, the Marketplace brings together 100 artisan producers of the best California cheese, wine, beer, ciders and other specialty foods. Guests are invited to taste and buy new cheeses, as well as the next wave of interesting cheese accompaniments and artisan products that complement cheese. Tickets include admission, live entertainment with the King Street Giants, an Artisan Cheese Festival insulated cheese tote bag (complete with ice pack to keep your cheese cold) and a festival wine glass. 

New this year is a Saturday afternoon Cheese Crawl at The Barlow in Sebastopol, and Sunday’s Artisan Cheese Tasting and Marketplace welcomes a number of new participants from wineries and breweries to cheesemakers, olive oil producers, and even coffee roasters. Three farm tours options go beyond the immediate Bay Area, up to Mendocino County, Central Valley and North Sacramento County.  

Though San Luis Obispo County cheesemakers have participated in the past, no local providers are attending this year. However, a number of leading cheese and winemakers from across California will be on hand. View the complete list and register here.