A Local Cheese Tasting and Farm Tour in Petaluma
If you haven’t yet visited Achadinha Cheese Company and Farm for a tour, I recommend putting this on your list of things to do in Sonoma County.
Not only are they one of the few successful family owned dairy farms/cheese companies that is still owned by the original family/founders (a tough act in Sonoma County…) but their cheese is DElicious. These guys offer a straight-up authentic peek at life on a farm, complete with some super cute animals. No glamorized shi-shi tourist version.
Tours are held on Saturdays at 11am and last about an hour and a half (sometimes a bit longer). Guests are greeted by Donna Pacheco (owner and cheesemaker extraordinaire) before being taken on a tour of the farm, milking barn, and cheesemaking facility.
On the tour, you will learn about how Achadinha makes their cheeses and how they respect the animals and land that support them.
Of course, tours always include a cheese tasting! Grab some of their cheese (at very reasonable prices, especially at the farm!) to take with you on a picnic or to enjoy with a bottle of Sonoma County wine.
Two of my favorites are the Fromage Blanc (so addictive you may just end up eating this for lunch with a bag of crackers) and Bavarian cream cheese (a decadent, creamy dessert or fruit topper that is somewhere between a creme fraiche and a cream cheese in consistency). But I also love their firmer cheeses alongside charcuterie and wine.
Farm tours cost $30/person ($5-$15 for kids) and require reservations.
Contact Donna (owner and head cheesemaker) with any questions or to make your tour reservation at achadinhacheese1955@gmail.com or call 707- 763-1025.
Don’t have time to take a tour? You can also buy Achadinha cheese at local Marin and Sonoma County farmers’ markets. For a list, go here.