NVL things to do
Dry Jack Aging Racks Photo courtesy of Vella Cheese
Just Say Cheese
Enjoy a Slice of the California Cheese Trail BY JESS LANDER
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drive through Sonoma reveals not just vineyards on the region’s rolling green hills but also herds of happy grazing cows. So while most tourists make the trek to sample Sonoma’s premium Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, a little-known secret is that there are nearly 30 working farms and creameries producing a wide array of handcrafted cheeses — and many of them welcome visitors. The California Cheese Trail meanders through approximately 100 miles of Sonoma County and depending on the property, farm and creamery tours, cheese tastings, and even cheesemaking classes may be on the menu. Here are seven spots to sample, purchase, and tour along Sonoma’s segment of the California Cheese Trail.
ACHADINHA CHEESE At this Petaluma Creamery, cheesemaking is in their blood. Owner Jim Pacheco is a third-generation dairyman whose family history of farming in California goes back over 70 years, and today, the fourth generation is carrying on the tradition. Achadinha 22
NAPAVALLEYLIFE.COM
COVID-19 but will hopefully return soon. // achadinhacheese.com
JOE MATOS CHEESE & FARMSTEAD CO.
Sparkle the cow Photo courtesy of Achadinha
doesn’t take themselves too seriously and has acquired a local following for their California Crazy Curds, which come in several flavors like Lonely Goat Garlic and Hot Hilda. They also make Cowpricious and Broncha, both an aged cow and goat milk cheese. Visitors can sign up for farm tours, offered most Saturdays at 11 a.m. (check their website schedule to be sure), which include a tour of the cheese plant, a cheese tasting, and some “Animal TLC” with the “girls” — their goats and cows with silly names like The Queen and Holy Goat. Hands-on classes were suspended during
For anyone who has never heard of St. Jorge cheese, they’re likely not alone. Joe Matos is the only dairy around making this Portuguesestyle raw milk cheese, which originates from São Jorge, an island in the Açores archipelago from which owners Joe and Mary Matos hail. Since 1979, they’ve produced the cheese of their homeland in Santa Rosa. Turn at the white and green sign and travel down a quarter-mile gravel road to this rustic farmstead (open daily) set in the middle of a working farm, where the Matos’ herd of cows resides. Enter through the cheese factory salesroom to sample and purchase St. Jorge aged three, six, nine, and 16 months. While there, pick up some of their heritage-raised beef, too. // joemattoscheeseco.com
BOHEMIAN CREAMERY Most cheesemakers specialize in one or a few styles of cheese, but Bohemian Creamery in the tiny “bohemian” town
