Sonoma California: Touring Creameries

 

Updated 4/2021

As a small business owner, I typically work long days rarely taking a day off.  Luckily, I love my work.  Nevertheless, after a few months of non-stop work, I need a break.  So, even though this is a busy time of year for us, I decided to take a mid-week retreat in California style. 

The Journey Begins

California is flush with fertile farmlands yielding some of the best of...just about everything.  Because of this fertile land, the cows and goats of the Petaluma/Point Reyes region offers some of the absolute best cheese.  For this trip, our focus is on California’s delectable and varied cheese. 

Since we only had a measly one day to taste, we began on the Point Reyes Petaluma road which travels from Petaluma to Point Reyes.  This scenic, hilly highway displays neat working farms nestled in among the greenery.  Cows and goats dot the lush green meadows. 

The Missing Creamery

We could find only one of the two creameries that appeared to be open to the public on this road.  Our “Ah-ha” moment came when we actually noticed the address of Spring Hill Cheese Company on our map—our missing creamery.  We were using a great little “Sonoma Marin Cheese Trail” map, which indicates the location of the cheesemakers of the area.  Spring Hill’s location appeared to be on the Point Reyes Petaluma Road.  Nope.  Read the map carefully if planning to visit.  The home of these lovely cheeses is in Petaluma on Western Avenue. (Check the Covid map and business’s websites before planning your visit.)

Triple Creams at Marin French Cheese Company

Returning to tasting...we did find Marin French Cheese Company right where it should be—on this road.  The grounds are lush-green complete with picnic tables surrounding a clear-blue pond that—at the time—tall, spindly egrets graced its presence.  Lovely. 

Inside was laid out as a cross between a small store and deli.  The smell of fresh cheese was enticing.  The tasting was easy, as plates filled with blocks of cheese sat atop each variety.  I wasn’t impressed with their Camembert as it tasted flat and uninteresting.  

Alternately, both of us enjoyed several of Marin’s triple cream “Petites”—the Petite Breakfast, Petite Crème, and Petite Blue.  All were light, creamy, and delicious.   The Petite Breakfast was labeled 1865, celebrating their 150th anniversary of making award-winning cheeses.  It is a thick triple cream that spreads like butter.  It tastes fresh, buttery, and a hint of fruit.  I will try this with crispy, thinly sliced toasts paired with sparkling wine—heaven.

Marin also makes an aromatic, earthy truffle triple cream that is divine.  It tastes like the best brie you’ve ever sampled combined with mushrooms—earthy, dried mushroom taste.  However, the cheese that surprised us the most was a “test” cheese.  

Marin French Cheese Company has made a “Schloss” cheese for some time now.  It is wash-rind creating a typically pungent, flavorful cheese.  I’ve read that they have been experimenting with trying to improve its flavor and texture.  If this “test” is any indication of the direction in which they are going...I’m jumping on board!

We purchased the Petite Breakfast and the “test” cheese (a Schloss). 

Cowgirl-Up at the Cowgirl Creamery

All I can say is, “Wow!”  Actually, I have many other words to share when describing our visit to the Cowgirl Creamery in downtown Point Reyes Station.  Nestled in a multi-shop building, one can watch how cheese is made, how it is aged and sample three of their finest.  

The triple cream, award-winning Mt. Tam was earthy and buttery.  Its silky texture melted on my tongue leaving me with a sincere desire to have more. 

Rind-washed, triple cream with a pungent aroma, Red Hawk was also creamy and silky in texture.  Also award-winning, this cheese is reminiscent of those we tasted in France.

The surprise of the visit was the seasonal whole milk Devil’s Gulch.  Surprisingly rich for whole milk cheese, it is sprinkled with sweet and spicy pepper flakes.  It is not hot nor does it taste like it’s been flavored.  It’s just a nicely balanced spicy, rich brie-type cheese. 

We purchased the Devil’s Gulch as we can purchase the others in our local store. 

Time for One More Stop at the Nicasio Valley Cheese Company 

Located a few miles off Point Reyes Petaluma Road on Nicasio Valley Road, this small store/tasting room held one of the most interesting cheeses of the day.  The tasting was unrushed and unpressured as there were barrels in the middle of the room topped with plates of cheese samples.  Although all were lovely and many brie-like, I found the fresh cow’s milk Foggy Morning to be my favorite.  Its texture was very similar to fresh goat cheese and was light with a slight tang. (Tasting room hasn’t been open for the last year. Check with the website often)

Summing it All Up

If traveling through California’s Sonoma/Marin County, please don’t miss a chance to sample some of our grand cheeses.  There are many more creameries than what I’ve profiled here.  Some are always open to the public, some not, and some available with reservations. I heartily recommend a visit.  Your taste buds will thank you.

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