BAY AREA
CHEESE SCHOOL
Join us and embark on a complete cheese journey.
About Us
While we are not currently ACS Certified Cheese Professionals®, our educators and collaborators bring years of hands-on experience in cheese, wine, and hospitality. We’ve learned our craft the same way the best chefs and winemakers do — by working alongside incredible makers, tasting deeply, and celebrating the people and places that make California cheese so extraordinary.
We believe that learning about cheese should feel joyful and inclusive, not intimidating. Our “school” isn’t about earning credentials — it’s about discovering flavor, exploring terroir, and connecting with the vibrant community of producers who shape the Bay Area’s cheese culture.
We regularly collaborate with Certified Cheese Professionals®, local creameries, and California artisans to ensure our guests learn directly from industry experts. Together, we celebrate the full spectrum of cheese knowledge — from farm to rind to board.
Passion for Quality
We celebrate artisanal cheesemakers who pour their heart into every wheel, supporting local crafters who honor tradition while embracing innovation.
Community Connection
Every gathering creates lasting bonds. We bring together cheese lovers, curious minds, and local makers in experiences that nourish both body and soul.
Educational Excellence
Learning through taste, history, and hands-on experience. We make cheese education engaging, accessible, and deliciously memorable.
Experiences
Education
Cheese isn’t just food — it’s a story that spans thousands of years. From ancient deserts to Marin dairies, it’s a tale of accidents, innovations, and artisans who shaped one of the world’s most beloved foods..
At Bay Area Cheese School, we bring that story to life through immersive workshops. You won’t just hear the history — you’ll taste it. From ancient-style fresh cheeses to modern Bay Area originals, every class connects you to a chapter of cheese’s journey.
At Bay Area Cheese School, we bring that story to life through immersive workshops. You won’t just hear the history — you’ll taste it.
The Origins: A Happy Accident
How a desert traveler and a pouch of milk gave the world its first cheese.
Ancient Worlds: From Pharaohs to Olympians
Why cheese was sacred, powerful, and even packed into tombs.
The Monastic Revolution
How monks turned cheesemaking into both science and art.
Renaissance to Revolution
Cheese as currency, art form, and global staple.
The Artisan Revival
From mass production back to handcrafted, local treasures.
Bringing It Home
Why the Bay Area is at the heart of today’s golden age of cheese.
Shop (Coming Soon)
Soon, you’ll be able to take the Bay Area Cheese School experience home — with tasting kits, picnic-ready boards, and branded merch. Perfect for gifts, gatherings, or treating yourself.
Cheesemakers Spotlight
Northern California is home to world-class cheesemakers:
| Name | Location / County | Specialty & Notes |
| Cowgirl Creamery | Marin / North Bay | Makers of Mt Tam, Red Hawk, and other organic artisan cheeses. (Cowgirl Creamery) |
| Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company | Marin | Known for Original Blue, Toma, and other coastal-inspired cheeses. (Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company) |
| Nicasio Valley Cheese | Marin | Organic farmstead with Swiss-inspired styles (Tomino, Reserve, washed rind) (Nicasio Valley Cheese) |
| Marin French Cheese Company | Marin / Petaluma area | The oldest continually operating U.S. creamery, producing brie, camembert, bleu, etc. (Wikipedia) |
| Cypress Grove Chevre | Arcata / Humboldt County | Goat cheese specialist; makers of Humboldt Fog (Wikipedia) |
| Vella Cheese Company | Sonoma County | Known for aged Jack cheeses, among others. (Sonoma County Tourism) |
| William Cofield Cheesemakers | Sonoma (Sebastopol) | British-style cheddar, specialty cheeses, and curds. (Sonoma County Tourism) |
| Achadinha Cheese Company | Petaluma (Sonoma County) | Goat cheeses, smokehouse, etc. (Sonoma County Tourism) |
| Rumiano Cheese Company | Del Norte / Crescent City | One of the older family-owned operations in Northern California. (North of Ordinary) |
Cheesemakers Spotlight
Cheese is good. The right pairing makes it unforgettable.
Triple Cream Brie
+ Crisp Sparkling Wine
Semi-Firm Cow’s Milk Cheese
+ Golden Saison Beer
Tangy Goat Cheese
+ Drizzle of Wildflower Honey
Cheese is better when shared! Follow us for reels, fun facts, pairing tips, and behind-the-scenes stories from Bay Area farms and festivals.
YouTube
Join our cheese-loving community! 🧀 Watch, learn, and celebrate local Bay Area cheese makers through our vlogs, tastings, and farm stories.
Contact Us
Got questions? Planning an event? Want to bring Bay Area Cheese School to your team or celebration?
Contact us and let’s make it happen.