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

California Artisan Cheese Festival returns to Sonoma County March 20–22, bringing together cheesemakers, farms, restaurants, and artisan food producers for three days of tastings and cheese experiences across the region.In this episode we preview one of the most delicious weekends of the year with two conversations from inside the artisan cheese world.First, we talk with Keith Adams of Wm. Cofield Cheese in Sebastopol about his journey to becoming a cheesemaker and what to expect at the sold-out Cheese Crawl at The Barlow on March 21.We discuss:• The difference between Alemar Cheese and Wm. Cofield Cheese • Why Sonoma County milk and dairy farms are essential to great cheese • His philosophy around terroir and traditional cheesemaking • The cheeses that define his work — including his celebrated cheddarKeith also previews The Barlow Cheese Crawl in Sebastopol, a three-hour tasting experience where 12 cheesemakers pair their cheeses with local food and beverage producers.Then we’re joined by Jane Holt and Luciana Villanueva of the California Artisan Cheese Guild, who explain how the festival works, why Sonoma County became one of America’s most exciting artisan cheese regions, and how the guild supports cheesemakers across California.We talk about:• What makes the California Artisan Cheese Festival unique • Current trends shaping California’s cheese industry • The future of artisan cheesemaking in the stateThey also help design the ultimate first-timer itinerary for festival weekend.If you love cheese, food festivals, and Sonoma County agriculture, this episode is your guide to the California Artisan Cheese Festival.Festival Events Mentioned🧀 Cheese Crawl – The Barlow (Sebastopol) A passport-style tasting event featuring cheesemakers paired with local food and beverage producers.🧀 Artisan Cheese Tasting & Marketplace Held at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds, this event brings together 25+ cheesemakers and artisan producers for one massive tasting experience.🧀 Three Days of Cheese Experiences Farm tours, tastings, pairings, and special events take place across Sonoma County throughout the weekend.Why Sonoma County Became a Cheese DestinationFrom historic dairy farms to innovative creameries, Sonoma County has become one of the leading regions for artisan cheese in the United States. The California Artisan Cheese Festival celebrates the farmers, cheesemakers, and food producers who make that possible.Discover Sonoma County cheese, the California Artisan Cheese Festival, artisan cheesemakers, the Sebastopol Cheese Crawl at The Barlow, and the Artisan Cheese Marketplace at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds — plus conversations with Wm. Cofield cheesemaker Keith Adams and the California Artisan Cheese Guild.🍺 Crack One OpenBeer: Sonoma Springs Brewing — Bock The WalkStyle: German Bock Lager (6.8% ABV) Location: Sonoma County, CaliforniaWith spring approaching in Sonoma County, this episode’s Crack One Open features “Bock The Walk” from Sonoma Springs Brewing.This classic German-style bock pours deep amber with aromas of caramel, toasted bread, and toffee, followed by smooth malt sweetness and subtle dark fruit notes.It’s also a great beer and cheese pairing — especially with aged gouda, where the cheese’s nutty crystals mirror the beer’s caramel malt character.A perfect beer for a rainy Sonoma County afternoon, whether you grab it at Sonoma Springs Brewing or locally at Oliver’s Market.Sonoma County beer, bock beer, Sonoma Springs Brewing, beer and cheese pairing, and Oliver’s Market finds — featured in this week’s California Artisan Cheese Festival episode.