Before we dive in, a few words from our Gourmet Cheese Coordinator, Wade Johnson:

“At Oliver’s Market we pride ourselves on our gourmet cheese selection, dedication to artisan cheesemakers, our community, and the quality of service we provide to every one of our cheese loving customers. We are a proud sponsor of the California Artisan Cheese Festival, and an active member of the California Artisan Cheese Guild. Cheese is a passion driven industry that we have always enjoyed being an active part of.

To help support the artisan cheese movement, we are thrilled to announce we will be offering an extensive promotion on a large variety of cheeses being featured at the California Artisan Cheese Festival. We’ll be poised and ready to serve fellow cheese lovers at our cheese counters, excited to talk about cheese, taste cheese, and experience all things cheese together as a community united by the passion we share for the craft.”

And without further ado, here are Wade and Justin’s suggested Artisan Cheese Festival pairings for 2023. Check out these interesting match-ups you can try at the event, or at home!

Gowan’s Gravenstein Hard Cider with Nicasio Valley Foggy Morning

“This delightfully crisp and gently sweet cider accentuates the butterfat and subtle tanginess in Nicasio Valley’s Foggy Morning. The finish is reminiscent of refreshing freshly sliced Gravenstein Apples.”

• Gowan’s Gravenstein Hard Cider – 500 ml. Bottle, $9.99+crv
• Nicasio Valley Foggy Morning, $19.99/lb.

Golden State Cider Jamaica with Pennyroyal Farms Laychee

“The lemony flavor tones of Pennyroyal Farms’ Laychee is perfectly balanced with the acidity and hibiscus flower from Golden State Cider’s Jamaica. The result is a bright and tangy finish, boasting floral notes with a hint of citrus.”

• Golden State Jamaica Cider – 4 pack/16 oz. cans, $10.99+crv
• Pennyroyal Farms Laychee, 6 oz. Package, $9.99/ea.

Anderson Valley Brewing Company Briney Melon Gose with Cypress Grove Humboldt Fog

“Together there’s a perfect marriage of complimentary flavors. The sourness and tartness of both the beer and the cheese rounded each other out perfectly, leading to a finish of sweet cream and fresh melon.”

• Anderson Valley Briney Melon Gose, 6 pack/12 oz. cans, $8.99+crv
• Cypress Grove Humboldt Fog, $25.99/lb.

We hope you will check out these pairings along with all of the delicious California Artisan Cheeses we are featuring this week at Oliver’s Market. Come chat with our mongers, and pick up something new to try!

Cypress Grove Humboldt Fog, $25.99/lb.

This iconic California goat cheese boasts a fudgy texture, and a rich and tangy paste. As it ripens, the creamline develops towards the center of the cheese, moving closer to its beautiful layer of vegetable ash that runs through the heart of every slice. A perfect pair with California sparkling wine or a drizzle of honey.

Bellwether Farms Carmody, $17.99/lb.

Named after a road that winds through the coastal hills right here in Sonoma County, Bellwether Farms Carmody is mild, buttery, and semi-soft in texture. The distinguishable golden color of the paste comes from the Jersey Cows that feed on the lush grass that grows in abundance here in Sonoma County.

Cowgirl Creamery Mt. Tam, $27.99/lb.

This delightfully rich triple cream cheese from Cowgirl Creamery is named after the iconic landmark Mount Tamalpais, which overlooks the San Francisco Bay in Marin County. It’s flavor profile brings nuances of crème fraiche, with mushroomy notes as you move closer to the delicate, pillowy, bloomy rind.

Laura Chenel Goat Brie, 5 oz. Package, $8.99/ea.

One of the original California goat’s milk cheesemakers, Laura Chenel’s goat brie is a precious little round of cheese with a delightfully creamy texture. It’s slightly grassy and nutty flavor profile is perfectly balanced out with a finish reminiscent of tangy lemon.

Marin French Cheese Golden Gate, 8 oz. Package, $11.99/ea.

Founded in 1865, Marin French Cheese Co. continues to make cheese in the same historical creamery where it all began. Golden Gate is their newest addition to their wide assortment of French-inspired cheeses. This triple cream delight is hand washed during the 14 day aging process , leading to its irresistible richness, vegetal aroma, and savory finish.

Nicasio Valley Foggy Morning, $19.99/lb.

Foggy Morning is a hand ladled fresh farmer’s style cheese made using 100% organic farmstead cow’s milk.   Wonderfully creamy and mildly tangy, the texture is soft and spreadable. Pair with your favorite light bodied wine or hard cider, dress a salad, or simply enjoy as is.

Pennyroyal Farms Laychee, 6 oz. Package, $9.99/ea.

This simple yet elegant fresh chevre has a luxuriously soft texture, a rich flavor profile, and a pleasantly tangy finish with subtle notes of citrus. Laychee is a great addition to a pizza, spread on toast served and with fresh fruit, on salads, or smeared on a sweet baguette with your favorite sweet accompaniments.

Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co. Tomatruffle, $19.99/lb.

An exciting twist to the American classic Toma from Point Reyes Farmstead, the base cheese is a mild, well-balanced, and buttery, with a gentle tanginess on the finish. This well rounded semi-soft cheese makes for the perfect vessel to carry the huge flavors and aromas that come with an infusion of truffle.

Valley Ford Creamery Highway 1, $12.99/lb.

Handmade by family owned and operated Valley Ford Creamery, this fontina style cheese is made from raw Jersey Cow’s milk. The wheels are washed with brine in the style of a traditional fontina and aged at least 80 days. Its texture is silky smooth and creamy, with a mildly fruity and nutty flavor.

W.M. Cofield McKinley Cheddar, $23.99/lb.

Made right here in Sonoma County, W.M. Cofield’s McKinley Cheddar brings English cheese making traditions to Sonoma County. With a dry flaky texture, and beautiful flecks of cheese crystals sparkling throughout the paste, McKinley Bandage Wrapped Cheddar brings bold, exciting flavors reminiscent of tropical fruit and fresh grass, with a bright acidity on the finish. Made with love and hand delivered by the great Keith Adams himself and trusted staff, McKinley Cheddar is a must have to satisfy all your cheddar needs.

We have all of the best cheese accompaniments at Oliver’s and wanted to feature and call out some who will also be at the tasting on Sunday!

Volo Chocolate Bars, Selected Varieties, 2 oz. Bar, $6.99/ea.

Masterfully crafted in Windsor, CA, by Jeff and Susan Mall, Volo Chocolate Bars are an exquisite testament to quality cacao. VOLO Chocolate participates in transparent trade practices, a step far beyond conventional fair trade.  Made with 100% compostable packaging, passion, and excellent quality cacao, the result is an undeniably delicious chocolate bar.

Cult Crackers, 4.5 oz. Package, $7.99/ea.

Handmade with organic ingredients in Berkley, CA, Cult Crackers are a satisfyingly crunchy, seeded cracker inspired by a Swedish family recipe.

Farmer’s Only Daughter Apricot Pepper Jelly, 10 oz. Jar, $9.99/ea.

Locally made in Sonoma County, Farmer’s Only Daughter Apricot Pepper Jelly is a perfect balance of sweet and spicy. The jalapeño and bell pepper gives it just enough kick to be exciting without overpowering the pleasant sweetness from the apricot.

Cheese Lovers Unite!

We hope all of our cheese-loving customers will enjoy this celebration of California Artisan Cheese Week, taking advantage of the savings, trying out our inspired cheese, beer, and cider pairings, and definitely making time to stop and chat with our cheese mongers who are happy to assist.

Salud!