MADISON - Wisconsin Cheese Originals announced the line-up of dairy farm and creamery tours for its fifth annual Wisconsin Cheese Originals Festival set for Friday, Nov. 1 and Saturday, Nov. 2, at the Monona Terrace.
Tickets for all events go on sale to members of Wisconsin Cheese Originals on Monday, Sept. 9, with remaining tickets available to the public starting Monday, Sept. 16. Each tour, set for Friday, Nov. 1, is limited to 20 people. Tours return to Madison by 5 p.m. Tickets are $115.
Tours include:
• Classic Wisconsin Cheesemaker Tour: The first stop is Roelli Cheese in Shullsburg, followed by Hook's Cheese in Mineral Point. After lunch on historic Main Street, the tour will visit Bleu Mont Dairy.
• Exploring the Farmstead Goat and Sheep Dairies of Wisconsin. The tour highlights the best of Wisconsin's famous driftless region: a span of land that glaciers never touched, leaving in tact Wisconsin's wooded hills and lush deep valleys. The tour will visit Dreamfarm in Cross Plains, Hidden Springs Creamery and Nordic Creamery.
• From Oldest to Newest: The Best of Wisconsin Dairy. From one of the state's oldest cheese plants to one of its newest, the tour showcases Wisconsin artisan dairy at its finest. The tour will visit Widmer's Cheese Cellars, LaClare Farms and Sassy Cow Creamery.
Additional festival events include:
• Meet the Cheesemaker Evening Gala on Friday, Nov. 1: Those who attend can visit with over 40 cheesemakers and local food artisans, sample 200 original cheeses and artisan foods, enjoy butlered appetizers, and listen to Point Five, an Americana acoustic band featuring Uplands Cheesemaker Andy Hatch. Tickets are $34.
• Saturday Seminars: Author Laura Werlin will kick off a day devoted to tasting and discussing "The Arrival of American Artisanal Cheese." Attendees may purchase an all-day pass with admission to the morning keynote, luncheon with dessert cheese and chocolate pairing, afternoon tasting session discussing Wisconsin original cheeses verses European traditional cheeses, and choice of afternoon cheese pairing seminars with beer or brandy. Tickets are $89. Seminars also available separately for purchase.
• Saturday Night Artisan Cheesemaker Dinners: Those who attend can experience a culinary sensation at one of three original Madison restaurants: The Old Fashioned, Bunky's and Delaney's. Each chef partners with two Wisconsin cheesemakers and hosts a one-of-a-kind three-course dinner. Tickets are $65.
For more information, visit www.wicheesefest.com.
Tickets for all events go on sale to members of Wisconsin Cheese Originals on Monday, Sept. 9, with remaining tickets available to the public starting Monday, Sept. 16. Each tour, set for Friday, Nov. 1, is limited to 20 people. Tours return to Madison by 5 p.m. Tickets are $115.
Tours include:
• Classic Wisconsin Cheesemaker Tour: The first stop is Roelli Cheese in Shullsburg, followed by Hook's Cheese in Mineral Point. After lunch on historic Main Street, the tour will visit Bleu Mont Dairy.
• Exploring the Farmstead Goat and Sheep Dairies of Wisconsin. The tour highlights the best of Wisconsin's famous driftless region: a span of land that glaciers never touched, leaving in tact Wisconsin's wooded hills and lush deep valleys. The tour will visit Dreamfarm in Cross Plains, Hidden Springs Creamery and Nordic Creamery.
• From Oldest to Newest: The Best of Wisconsin Dairy. From one of the state's oldest cheese plants to one of its newest, the tour showcases Wisconsin artisan dairy at its finest. The tour will visit Widmer's Cheese Cellars, LaClare Farms and Sassy Cow Creamery.
Additional festival events include:
• Meet the Cheesemaker Evening Gala on Friday, Nov. 1: Those who attend can visit with over 40 cheesemakers and local food artisans, sample 200 original cheeses and artisan foods, enjoy butlered appetizers, and listen to Point Five, an Americana acoustic band featuring Uplands Cheesemaker Andy Hatch. Tickets are $34.
• Saturday Seminars: Author Laura Werlin will kick off a day devoted to tasting and discussing "The Arrival of American Artisanal Cheese." Attendees may purchase an all-day pass with admission to the morning keynote, luncheon with dessert cheese and chocolate pairing, afternoon tasting session discussing Wisconsin original cheeses verses European traditional cheeses, and choice of afternoon cheese pairing seminars with beer or brandy. Tickets are $89. Seminars also available separately for purchase.
• Saturday Night Artisan Cheesemaker Dinners: Those who attend can experience a culinary sensation at one of three original Madison restaurants: The Old Fashioned, Bunky's and Delaney's. Each chef partners with two Wisconsin cheesemakers and hosts a one-of-a-kind three-course dinner. Tickets are $65.
For more information, visit www.wicheesefest.com.