Host and blue cheese fan, Sal Castaneda talks to Jill Giacomini-Basch in this 6 minute segment about the 20th Anniversary California Artisan Cheese Festival and what to expect. They discuss different types of cheese and sample from an abundant cheese board featuring Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company cheeses.

March 16, 2026

The Good Food Hour was all about cheese and the 20th Annual California Artisan Cheese Festival. Co-hosts Steve Garner and Emily Ash Lamb interviewed Alyssa Gilbert, executive director of the California Artisan Cheese Guild and Festival about the Sunday Marketplace. Cheesemakers Omer Seltzer of Mt. Eitan Cheese and Karen Bianchi-Moreda of Valley Food Cheese and Creamery brought in samples of the cheese they’ll be featuring.

March 14, 2026

The United States of Cheese: Everything to Know About America’s Growing Artisan Cheese Scene

Where to try California cheeses: For a California caseo-vacation, hit the California Cheese Trail for a well-established circuit of 44 makers, or head west in spring for the three-day California Artisan Cheese Festival in March.

March 12, 2026

California Artisan Cheese Festival: An Insider’s Guide with Keith Adams of Wm. Cofield Cheese & the California Artisan Cheese Guild

Host and certified cicerone Allo Gilinsky features the Festival in two conversations: first with Keith Adams of Wm. Cofield about becoming a cheesemaker and what to expect at the sold out Cheese Crawl and the second with the Guild’s Jane Lyon Holt and Luciana Villanueva on how the Festival works, why Sonoma County is one of the country’s most exciting cheese regions and how the Guild supports cheesemakers across the state.

March 11, 2026

The Socialite: 20th Annual California Artisan Cheese Festival

“Some events and tastings are sold out (but there are still a few openings, act quickly!), and get your ticket to the Sunday Artisan Cheese Tasting and Marketplace at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa. You’ll be able to meet over 18 cheesemakers, and taste products from over 60 artisan producers of California cheese (including small-batch, limited production cheeses), wine, beer, ciders, and specialty foods. New to the Marketplace: JUST CREAMERY, Shared Cultures, Bonjerk, Amalgam Wines, The Caviar Co., and more.

A few of my past marketplace faves were the farmer’s cheeses from Valley Ford Co., San Geronimo from Nicasio Valley, smoked cheddar from Fiscalini, seasonal Laychee from Pennyroyal Farm, and pretty much the entire table from Achadinha Cheese Company. Be sure to pick up a 2026 California Cheese Trail map (for free!).”

https://www.tablehopper.com/newsletter/this-weeks-tablehopper-playin-chicken/

February 25, 2026

California cheeses have their own snack-around festival in Santa Rosa

“Artisanal bites, opportunities to chat up dairy pros, and creamery tours are on the celebration’s schedule.”

February 24, 2026

Host Clark Wolf talks with Luciana Villanueva (President of the California Artisan Cheese Guild and Cheese Director, Gus’s Community Market), Jill Giacomini Basch (Co-Founder & Co-CEO of Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese) & Vivien Straus (Founder of CheeseTrail.org & Manager of Straus Home Ranch) about the 20th Annual California Artisan Cheese Festival!

 

They also discuss the Cheese Trail map, the cheese making process, farm tours, the history of the festival & cheese guild, the Cheese Crawl at The Barlow, Bubbles & Bites, the Marketplace, and taste the cheese that Jill brought!

February 7, 2026

https://www.ksro.com/episode/at-the-table-20th-annual-california-artisan-cheese-festival/

Things To Do Lifestyle: Cheese festival offers tasty tours, events

January 21, 2026

It’s National Cheese Lover’s Day! Whether it’s melted, shredded, or stacked, cheese plays a starring role in comfort food and cuisine across cultures. To celebrate, The Nine featured Ollie’s American Cheese + Provisions in Oakland owner Alyssa Gilbert talks to host Sal Castaneda about how to shop for, serve, and enjoy cheese and a preview of the Festival.

January 20, 2026

Say Cheese! Santa Rosa Cheese Fest Features Cal Poly Creamery

“Now in its 19th year, the annual festival is to turophiles – that’s the official term for ‘cheese lover’ – what Coachella is to a glitter adorned indie rock fan.”

April 7, 2025

Found Treasure: Cheese Wow Revelations in 24 Photos from Sonoma:

April 4, 2025

Wade Johnson of Oliver’s Market and Sarah Spenker of Spenker Family Farms talk to Clark about the Festival and what they’ll be showcasing at the Marketplace

March 22, 2025

Keith Adams, founder and cheesemaker of Wm. Cofield and Alemar talks about the Festival, Bubbles + Bites, and the Artisan Cheese Tasting and Marketplace

March 21, 2025

An interview with mezzo soprano Veronique Kherian about her seminar, “Miss Cheesemonger Sings,” and an example of one of her inspired pairings of cheese, song and wine.

March 17, 2025

Vivien Straus of the Cheese Trail talks about the Festival and the new Cheese Trail map.

March 11, 2025

Keith Adams of Wm. Cofield Cheesemakers talks about the Festival Seminars, Marketplace, and Bubbles & Bites!

March 15, 2025

California Artisan Cheese Festival Returns to Sonoma County: Betty Yu talks to Alyssa Gilbert about the Festival, what makes a great cheese and charcuterie board, and leads a tasting of three California made cheeses.

March 15, 2025

Cover Story: The Big Cheese: Artisanal Cheese Festival returns

March 12, 2025

Artisan Cheese Festival features tours, tastings and more

March 11, 2025

Clark Wolf in conversation with Jennifer Bice, Redwood Hill Farm and Creamery founder about pioneering goat cheese, the Guild, the Festival, and more.

March 8, 2025

19th Annual Artisan Cheese Festival Announces Participants of Sunday Tasting and Marketplace, Candace Allen Comments

March 7, 2025

Gouda Times Ahead: Festival Celebrates Artisan Cheese with Vero Kherian, Miss Cheesemonger

March 7, 2025

California Artisan Cheese Festival with Jill Giacomini Basch, Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese (34:28 mark).

March 6, 2025

19th Annual California Cheese Festival Announces Participants of Artisan Cheese Tasting and Marketplace

March 6, 2025

Confessions of a cheese-a-holic: California Artisan Cheese Festival