If you’ve never been on a cheese tour, this is an excellent opportunity during your trip to Bodega Bay.  They are all within 1/2 hour from “At the Bay’s Edge” and it’s great fun to learn how cheese is made, and of course sample, sample, sample.  We have an abundance of great food here, and of course the cheese is one of my favorite things about this area!

ARTrails is an annual fall tradition in the North Bay and Sonoma County.  It’s a juried art program, which is not only Sonoma County’s highest profile art event, but it’s also one of the longest running programs and most respected in its class.  Come check it out and see why!

ARTrails provides a rare opportunity for the public to meet local artists in their workspaces, view original art, and learn firsthand about their diverse creative processes and techniques.

This year, ArtTrails has posted artist videos on their YouTube Channel.  You can get a preview of their work here:

Through hands-on demonstrations as well as intimate conversations, ARTrails artists will take you into their world, where colors, shapes, materials, and textures merge into unique and collectible works of art.

Event Hours:   Noon – 7pm Friday, 10am – 7pm Saturday & Sunday
General Admission:   adults $8,  children $3,  6 and under free

Enjoy!!

Sonoma and Marin counties—the Normandy of Northern California—are home to the most artisan cheesemakers in California, if not the country. The foggy, grassy north boasts some 22,000 acres of land dedicated to making cheese and fermented milk products. To celebrate this bounty, the Marin Economic Forum (MEF) just introduced the Sonoma Marin Cheese Trail map [PDF], the first-ever guide to local artisan cheesemakers.

Launched just in time for the fifth annual Artisan Cheese Festival, taking place next weekend in Petaluma, the colorful, informative map raises the profile of local cheesemakers, an important element of our vibrant local agricultural economy. Artisan cheesemaking is experiencing a renaissance as both long-time dairy families and new cheese entrepreneurs are milking the trend. The Cheese Trail map includes some outstanding local dairies, such as Bellwether Farms, Pug’s Leap, Redwood Hill Farm & Creamery, and Saint Benoît Yogurt.

“Cheesemaking is a reemerging craft, and it’s happening in our own back yard,” said Vivien Straus, MEF board member and managing partner of Straus Home Ranch, who helped shepherd the map from concept to reality. “Twenty-seven local artisan cheesemakers are included in the map, which tells people all about the cheese, where to get it, and which cheesemakers are open for visits.”

The map relays the history of cheese in the area: Spanish priests first made cheese from the milk of mission livestock in the early 1800s. Later, during the Gold Rush, European immigrants built dairies on the Point Reyes peninsula to supply butter and cheese to gold miners in San Francisco. It also provides some interesting cheese facts (to make one pound of cheese, it takes five pounds of sheep’s milk, seven pounds of goat’s milk, or 10 pounds of cow’s milk), and gives tips on where to buy local cheeses.

“The region as a whole boasts an impressive collection of small cheesemakers. We’ve got plenty of culture here,” said Sue Conley, co-owner of Cowgirl Creamery. “Thanks to the grass, the cows, the farmers, and the cheesemakers for putting cheese on the map in Sonoma and Marin.”

The map provides activities for the millions of visitors to the area, potentially injecting more revenue into the local economy. “With small family dairy farms continuing their rapid decline, with an average yearly loss of five percent, the map encourages the sale of local products and by extension supports the agricultural community,” said Ellie Rilla, Community Development Adviser with the University of California Cooperative Extension.

Two driving tours map out where you can meet some of the cheesemakers, learn about the animals, and see cheese being made. The Marin county tour travels from Novato to Nicasio and Point Reyes and starts at the Marin French Cheese Company, where you can take a tour, picnic, and taste their award-winning Rouge et Noir brie. Try the farmstead cheese at Nicasio Valley Cheese Company and watch cheesemaking or take a class at Cowgirl Creamery in Point Reyes Station.

In Sonoma County, you can stop by the Petaluma Creamery, sample Spring Hill Cheese and then head to Sonoma to try aged Jack at Vella Cheese Company. You can stock up on fresh cheeses and other local food at Epicurean Connection and then head north to Sebastopol to the Matos Cheese Factory and try their St. George, a buttery semi-hard cheese.

“This will put our cheese on the map,” said Carleen Weirauch of Weirauch Farm & Creamery, which produces raw aged sheep cheese as well as organic cow cheese. “Being able to contribute to our community in such a pleasurable way is the greatest reward and stepping into this great tradition is a magnificent, humbling honor

Sonoma County Restaurant Week is a seven day celebration of our county’s farm fresh food and premier wine!

Enjoy three-course dinner menus at $19, $29, or $39, depending on the restaurant.  Check out their web site above for more information including menus and participating restaurants.    You can browse by city (over 17 regions to choose from, along with dozens of restaurants and three price points).   What a wonderful opportunity to enjoy some of the finest foods available at such an affordable price.   We live in such a wonderfully rich area — in so many ways!

Was looking at the schedule for this year’s Sonoma Marin Fair and it’s jam packed full of activities. It runs June 23-27 at the Petaluma Fairgrounds and includes specific activities for Family Day, Farmers Day, Agriculture Day, Senior Day, Kids Day, and EveryOne’s Day.

And of course, the ever popular Ugly Dog Contest.

Their web site is very helpful, it includes videos, interviews, schedule, directions, you name it. Looking forward to it.

Petaluma is just 30 minutes from “At the Bay’s Edge” and many of our guests use our coastal retreat as a hub for other activities. So come to enjoy!

The Freestone winery is situated in the midst of the vineyards. This three story building allows the force of gravity to transport the wine from the fermenters down to the barrels. The subterranean level is actually an ideal cellar environment where temperature and humidity are controlled naturally.

The Freestone Vineyards guest center is open Friday through Sunday from 11-5pm, and no reservations are required.

They also feature “Second Sunday” events that range from food pairings to music, so be sure and check their calendar.

Freestone is well known for their Pinot Noir and their Chardonnay. Make sure and include them in your travels, it’s a fun stop and an excellent wine. (And it’s about a block away from the Wildflour Bakery….my personal favorite!)

The Salmon Creek Artwalk was established in 2001 and has become an anticipated Sonoma Coast art event. Take this opportunity to enjoy the artists work, and stroll through the unique town of Salmon Creek, and enjoy the Salmon Creek beach as well!

Enjoy!