SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – If your perfect Saturday night involves cheese, more cheese, and something good to drink alongside it, San Francisco has an event for you this weekend.
The 11th annual SF Cheese Fest returns Saturday, October 3, bringing California artisan cheesemakers, food producers, and beverage makers to Gold Bar Distillery on Treasure Island.
General admission runs from 6 to 9 p.m. and costs $98 per person. The big draw: unlimited cheese tastings, along with unlimited samples of local beer and wine.
What’s Included in the Tastings
According to the organizer’s ticket details, admission includes cheese samples, an assortment of accompaniments, and complimentary mocktails.
The evening also features charcuterie, artisan provisions, and bites curated by chefs. Organizers are promising a grazing table created by The Grazing Company, with the San Francisco Bay providing the waterfront backdrop.
Gold Bar Distillery’s signature cocktails will be available for purchase separately, so those aren’t part of the unlimited beer-and-wine sampling.
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Familiar California Cheesemakers Are Coming
The 2026 participant roster currently lists 13 cheesemakers and more than three dozen participants across its cheese, food, beverage, retail, and community categories.
The cheesemaker lineup includes Cowgirl Creamery, Cypress Grove, Bellwether Farms, Laura Chenel, Marin French Cheese Co., and Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co.
Other participants include Fiscalini Farmstead, Nicasio Valley Cheese Company, Pennyroyal Farm, Rumiano Cheese, and Tomales Farmstead Creamery.
There will also be plenty to explore beyond the cheese tables. Listed participants include Clif Family Winery & Farm, Gowan’s Heirloom Cider, Father’s Brewing, Fra’Mani, Market Hall Foods, and The Cheese Parlor.
A VIP Ticket Adds an Extra Hour
For attendees who want to start earlier, the festival lists a $165 VIP ticket.
The VIP hour runs from 5 to 6 p.m. and includes a guided whiskey-and-cheese tasting with Gold Bar Distillery, early access to the cheesemaker celebration, and a gift bag. Organizers also highlight the chance to speak with makers before general admission begins.
Where to Go and How to Get Tickets
The festival takes place at Gold Bar Distillery, 1 Avenue of the Palms, #167, on Treasure Island in San Francisco.
Tickets are listed through the organizer’s official booking page. Both general admission and VIP tickets are nonrefundable.
The event serves as the primary fundraiser for the California Artisan Cheese Guild, which supports California artisan cheese through education, outreach, and partnerships.
