What Is National Wine & Cheese Day?
Every year on July 25, wine lovers and cheese aficionados around the country celebrate the delicious harmony between two of the world’s oldest culinary delights. With roots tracing back thousands of years, the pairing of wine and cheese has become a symbol of conviviality, regional pride, and the simple pleasure of sharing good food with friends.
🍇 Why Sommeliers & Cheesemongers Matter
- Sommeliers are masters of wine pairing. They’ll introduce you to varietals that highlight a cheese’s complexity or balance its saltiness.
- Cheesemongers go far beyond suggesting cheese for burgers. Their palate is finely tuned to flavor, texture, and aroma trends, offering exciting matches you may not have considered.
Together, these flavor experts help us elevate simple bites into gourmet experiences.
How to Observe National Wine & Cheese Day
- Host a wine and cheese tasting party with friends.
- Try a new varietal you’ve never tasted before—maybe a bold Tempranillo or a crisp Vermentino.
- Visit a local winery or specialty cheese shop for expert recommendations.
- Share your favorite pairings with friends and family—and don’t forget to post photos!
📸 Use #NationalWineAndCheeseDay to join the celebration online. Tag us @WineIndustryNetwork so we can feature your discoveries in our next roundup or the new “From The Web” section!
Napa Valley
- Hidden Gems of Napa Valley: Micro Producers Tasting
Villa Ragazzi, July 25, 5:00–8:00 p.m.
Taste boutique wines from some of Napa’s most passionate producers. Bring your favorite cheese to enjoy alongside unique finds.
More Info - Dog Days of Summer at Nichelini Family Winery
Chiles Valley, July 25, 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Enjoy summer wine flights and laid-back vibes—perfect for a picnic with local cheese from nearby markets.
More Info - Downtown Joe’s, Napa
This local favorite is explicitly marking National Wine & Cheese Day with themed specials, live music, and plenty of wine and cheese to go around.
More Info
Sonoma County
- Taste Destination 128 – Alexander Valley (Sonoma County)
Experience a summer wine trail with tastings at seven premier wineries, each offering locally sourced artisan cheese and charcuterie with their wines.
Details - Ultimate Wine & Cheese Board Class – Windsor
July 26, 2025
Get hands-on with pairing at this interactive workshop—learn how to build beautiful cheese boards and select the perfect wines to match.
Details - Corner 103 Tasting Room – Sonoma
Known for educational tastings that feature locally sourced cheese and charcuterie expertly paired with wines from across Sonoma’s AVAs.
More Info - J Vineyards & Winery – Healdsburg
Their “Summer Art of Food and Wine” offers chef-led food and wine pairing inspiration—frequently featuring artisan cheeses from local creameries.
More Info - The Epicurean Connection – Sebastopol/Sonoma
Hosting hands-on cheesemaking classes July 26–27, where you can learn the art of cheese and dream up your own pairings.
More Info
Why it Matters:
National Wine & Cheese Day is built on centuries of pairing tradition—from monastic cellars to modern sommeliers. While formal wine‑room cheese flights aren’t guaranteed today, everywhere in Napa and Sonoma is ripe for the experience. Bring a wedge, ask the sommelier, or let spontaneous pairing magic happen.
🔍 Editor’s Tip: Check a winery’s website or call ahead—you may discover unlisted cheese boards, off‑menu pairings, and last‑minute surprises.
🍇🧀 Wine & Cheese Pairing Trivia: Did You Know?
- Wine and Cheese: A 2,000-Year Tradition
Pairing wine and cheese goes all the way back to the Roman Empire, where farmstead cheeses and local wines were a staple of rural life. - Why Do They Go So Well Together?
The fat in cheese softens the tannins in red wine, while a wine’s acidity cuts through rich, creamy cheeses—creating a “balance effect” that delights the palate. - Classic Combos:
- Brie + Pinot Noir: Creamy brie with fruity, earthy pinot is a timeless Sonoma favorite.
- Aged Cheddar + Cabernet Sauvignon: Napa’s bold reds shine against sharp, nutty cheddar.
- Goat Cheese + Sauvignon Blanc: The tang of goat cheese pops alongside crisp, citrusy whites.
- A Sonoma Secret:
Corner 103 in downtown Sonoma is famous for pairing everything from blue cheese to local triple-creams with wine—sometimes even with dark chocolate for an extra treat. - Cheesemaker Wisdom:
“When in doubt, pair cheese and wine from the same region. Nature knows best!” — Common advice from local Sonoma and Napa tasting room hosts. - Fast Fact:
The world’s oldest evidence of cheesemaking was found in Poland and dates back more than 7,000 years!
🔍 Editor’s Tip: When exploring a tasting room, don’t be shy—ask your host for their favorite local cheese and wine combo. You might discover a new classic!
Go Find Your Own Wine & Cheese Adventure!
With hundreds of wineries, tasting rooms, markets, and artisan cheesemakers throughout Napa, Sonoma, and the North Bay, there are countless wine & cheese experiences waiting to be discovered—far more than we could ever fit into one article. Maybe your favorite hidden gem didn’t make our list, or you have a secret spot you love to share with friends. That’s part of what makes wine country so special.
Take National Wine & Cheese Day as your invitation to explore!
Try a new tasting room, drop by a local market for a wedge of something unique, or pair your favorite bottle with a cheese you’ve never tasted before.
Share the love:
Tag your wine & cheese finds on social media and let us—and the whole wine country community—know where you’re celebrating.
