Top 22 Local Cheeses
in Petaluma

Mt Tam is an American cheese hailing from California, where it's produced by Cowgirl Creamery. This soft triple-cream cheese is made from organic cow's milk with the addition of cream. It has a bloomy rind and the texture is firm, smooth, dense, and creamy. The flavors are rich and buttery with earthy, mushroomy, and grassy hints. Mt Tam is named after the majestic Mt. Tamalpais in Northern California. It's recommended to pair the cheese with a glass of Sancerre.Expand

Mélange Brie is an American brie-style cheese hailing from Petaluma, California, where it's produced by Marin French Cheese Co. The cheese is made from a mix of pasteurized cow's and goat's milk and it's left to age from 10 to 14 days before consumption. Underneath its bloomy rind, the texture is soft, smooth, and creamy. The aromas are goaty, mushroomy, and earthy, while the flavors are mild, buttery, sweet, and creamy, becoming more tangy and piquant as the cheese ages. It's recommended to pair Mélange Brie with a glass of Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc. Expand

Marin French Triple Creme is an American brie-style triple cream cheese hailing from Petaluma, California, where it's produced by Marin French Cheese. The cheese is made from pasteurized cow's milk. Underneath its bloomy rind, the texture is soft, smooth, and fluffy. The aromas are sweet and rich, while the flavors are creamy and sweet, with a sharp finish coming from the rind. It's recommended to pair Marin French Triple Creme with a bottle of India Pale Ale or sparkling wines.Expand

Acapella is an American cheese produced near Petaluma in California. The cheese is made from pasteurized goat's milk and comes in three versions. One is a truncated pyramid that's aged to become firmer, the other one is a little round cheese, and the third one is a larger ash-coated round cheese. The flavors are buttery and mild, with a slightly herbal aroma and tart finish. It's recommended to pair Acapella with white Burgundy.Expand

San Andreas is an American cheese based on Italian Pecorino, produced in California by Bellwether Farms. The cheese is made from raw sheep's milk and ages for about 3 and a half months. Underneath its natural rind, the texture is creamy and smooth, with a few eyes running throughout the paste. The aromas are clean, rich, and mild, while the flavors are rich, with notes of nuts, hay, and butterscotch. It's recommended to serve it with bread and olives. Pair it with a glass of red wine such as Pinot Noir.Expand

Picolo is an American triple-cream cheese hailing from Petaluma, California, where it's produced by Andante Dairy. The cheese is made from pasteurized Jersey cow's milk and crème fraîche. Underneath its bloomy rind, the texture is soft and smooth. The aromas are sweet, while the flavors are nutty, mushroomy, and sweet, melting in the mouth. It's recommended to pair Picolo cheese with a glass of Gewürztrainer or a dry hard cider. Serve it with fresh fruit such as strawberries for the best experience.Expand

Largo is an American triple-cream cheese hailing from California, where it's produced by Andante Dairy. The cheese is made from pasteurized Jersey cow's milk and crème fraîche. Underneath its bloomy rind, the texture is soft, smooth, and creamy. The aromas are sweet and pleasant, while the flavors are rich, nutty, mushroomy, and sweet, with a long finish. It's recommended to serve Largo with fruit jams and pair it with a glass of sparkling wine. The name of this cheese means generous or broad in Italian, referring to a musical term or a tempo mark that should be performed slowly.Expand

Minuet is an American cheese hailing from California, where it's produced by Andante Dairy. This triple-cream cheese is made from a mixture of pasteurized goat's milk and cow's milk crème fraîche. The cheese is mold-ripened and it has a soft, smooth, and creamy texture. The aromas are pleasant, while the flavors are rich, creamy, sweet, tangy, bright, and clean, with a long finish. It's recommended to pair Minuet with a glass of Prosecco or Champagne.Expand

Mi-Ewe is an American cheese hailing from Petaluma, California, where it's produced by Weirauch Farm and Creamery. The cheese is made from a mix of cow's and sheep's milk. It's left to age for at least 5 months before consumption. Underneath its natural rind, the texture is crumbly and semi-hard. The aromas are rich and caramel-like, while the flavors are buttery, nutty, sharp, and citrusy. It's recommended to serve Mi-Ewe with honey and crisp apples, and pair it with a glass of fruity Zinfandel. The name of the cheese is French for demi, referring to the fact that the cheese is made with half sheep's and half cow's milk.Expand

Wagon Wheel is a semi-firm American cheese made from cow's milk. The cheese hails from Petaluma, California, where it's produced by Cowgirl Creamery. It has a natural rind and it's aged for about 2 months. The yellowish paste is speckled with tiny eyes, and the aroma is earthy and musty, while the flavors are mild, caramel-like, slightly tart, buttery, mellow, and creamy. The texture is springy and supple. It is recommended to serve Wagon Wheel as a part of a larger cheese board.Expand

Cowgirl Creamery is a renowned artisanal cheese producer, founded in 1997 by Sue Conley and Peggy Smith in Petaluma, California. The company specializes in the production of organic cheeses, offering a wide range of hand-crafted cheeses that reflect their commitment to quality, sustainability, and innovation. Cowgirl Creamery prides itself on using milk from local farms in the Point Reyes area, known for its rich pastures. The use of locally sourced, organically grown milk gives their cheeses a unique character, depth of flavor, and a high level of quality. Two of Cowgirl Creamery's most famous products are Mt. Tam and Red Hawk, both cheeses with rich, creamy textures and complex flavors. Mt. Tam is a soft, creamy cheese with a mild sweetness, while Red Hawk is a washed-rind cheese with a deep, intense flavor, characterized by its reddish-orange rind. These cheeses have become symbols of quality and excellence in the world of artisanal cheese. Cowgirl Creamery produces cheeses in small batches, allowing them to pay close attention to every step of the production process, from sourcing the milk to the final aging phase. By combining traditional techniques with innovative approaches, they continuously improve their products while staying true to the authentic methods of cheese-making.Expand

Marin French Cheese Company, established in 1865, is the oldest continuously operating cheese manufacturer in the United States. It specializes in producing artisanal soft-ripened cheeses, including varieties such as Brie and Camembert. The company focuses on sustainable practices, sourcing its milk from local dairies in the surrounding region.Expand

Bellwether Farms, located in Petaluma, California, is a family-owned creamery that produces a variety of artisan cheeses and dairy products. They are known for using traditional methods and primarily sheep's milk, along with cow's milk, to create their products. Bellwether Farms also offers a line of yogurts alongside their cheeses.Expand

Spring Hill Jersey Cheese is a producer based in Petaluma, California, specializing in artisanal cheeses made from the milk of Jersey cows. The company offers a range of cheese types, including cheddar, jack, and flavored varieties, emphasizing organic practices. Spring Hill Jersey Cheese was established by Larry Peter in 1998. Expand

Andante Dairy is a family-owned dairy farm located in California, specializing in the production of high-quality artisan cheeses. Founded by Mary and David G. Owens, its mission has been to create cheeses that not only captivate the taste but also reflect the uniqueness of California milk. Andante Dairy offers cheeses made from both cow's and goat's milk, with all cheeses being handcrafted with care and precision. The company takes pride in its small, controlled production processes, combining traditional techniques with innovation. This approach allows them to create cheeses with perfect textures and rich, distinctive flavors that reflect the quality of the milk they use. Andante Dairy’s cheeses are often recognized for their rich, creamy texture and well-balanced flavors, achieved through the careful blending of milk with unique spices and cultures. In addition to producing exceptional cheeses, Andante Dairy is also committed to educating people about the art of cheese-making, holding workshops and events for enthusiasts and visitors who wish to learn more about the cheese-making process.Expand

Pugs Leap is a small farmstead cheese operation located in Petaluma, California. The farm practices sustainable agriculture, focusing on producing handcrafted goat cheeses. They manage a herd of goats whose milk is used exclusively for their cheese production.Expand