New Monthly Themed Tasting Classes from April-September 2018 at Napa Winery Celebrating 50thAnniversary
Janet Fletcher, author of Cheese & Wine, The Cheese Course and the Planet Cheese blog will offer six classes surveying the world of fine cheese in the recently restored tasting room at Trefethen Family Vineyards, one of Napa’s most iconic family-owned wineries, once a month from April through September 2018. Classes will begin with a half-hour reception, followed by a sit-down cheese tasting. Each class features a unique cheese theme and Trefethen’s estate grown wines will be served throughout. This year’s new themes include an evening devoted to mixed-milk cheeses and another evening devoted to pairing cheese with young and aged Trefethen Chardonnay, as the winery opens their cellar in celebration of their 50th anniversary.
The schedule for Janet Fletcher’s World Cheese Tour at Trefethen Family Vineyards is as follows:
- April 19: Best Newcomers – Meet some impressive American cheeses that didn’t exist five years ago—all of them destined for glory.
- May 17: Cheese Meets Chardonnay – White wine with cheese? Absolutely! Discover cheeses that complement the acclaimed Trefethen Chardonnays, including some prized older vintages.
- June 21: Italianissimo! – From the Italian Alps to Sicily’s sheep farms, Italy is artisan cheese country. Taste new small-production cheeses and superior versions of some classics.
- July 19: Taste the Nation – Take your taste buds on a seven-state tour. We’ll venture east of the Mississippi, west of the Rockies and south of the Mason-Dixon Line.
- August 16: Blended Beauties: Cow, Goat, Sheep – Blending cow, goat and sheep’s milk is one way to add complexity. Taste stellar two- and three-milk cheeses from the U.S. and beyond.
- Sept 20: American Cheese Society Blue-Ribbon Winners – Your opportunity to taste what the experts consider the epitome of American cheesemaking.
When: Thursday evenings monthly from April – September 2018; 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Price: $70 per class; $375 for the Grand Tour (all 6 classes)
Where: Trefethen Family Vineyards, 1160 Oak Knoll Avenue, Napa
Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2018, Trefethen Family Vineyards is located in the Oak Knoll District of the Napa Valley. The family-owned winery hosted the Napa Valley Cooking Class for 25 years and has a distinguished legacy in fine wine and cuisine.
Their gorgeous estate includes one of Napa’s only surviving wooden gravity-flow wineries from the 19th century, which they recently reopened after a full restoration following the 2014 earthquake. The first floor is dedicated to the aging of Trefethen estate wines in barrel. The second floor features a new tasting area, with a stunning view of the estate vineyards. Under the original soaring redwood ceilings, visitors savor this piece of Napa Valley’s history, as they taste the stellar wines that have been made within the walls of this historic landmark.
Reservations: Limited seating; reservations required: www.janetfletcher.com/cheeseclasses/ Or call 707-265-0404
ABOUT TREFETHEN FAMILY VINEYARDS
Trefethen Family Vineyards is one of Napa’s pioneering wineries. Founded in 1968, Janet and John Trefethen helped define what the Napa Valley is today. Five decades later, this Napa legend remains family owned and committed to the craft of 100% estate grown wines. The winery is located at 1160 Oak Knoll Avenue, Napa. Tastings are available daily. For more information, please contact the winery at 866.895.7696 or visit www.trefethen.com.
ABOUT JANET FLETCHER
Janet Fletcher publishes Planet Cheese, a weekly blog, and is the cheese columnist for Specialty Food and SOMM Journal magazines. A three-time James Beard Award winner, Janet is a member of the invitation-only Guilde Internationale des Fromagers, and she teaches cheese-appreciation classes around the country. www.janetfletcher.com.
