World Cheese Tour 2024
12th Season!
Join me for an evening of artisan cheese and fine wine when the World Cheese Tour resumes for its twelfth year. The delightful Winston’s Café in Napa will be our host for these seated tastings, each one devoted to a different theme.
I’m an award-winning food writer, publisher of the Planet Cheese blog and author of three books on cheese, and I want to introduce you to some of the cheeses I love best. Over ten evenings, you'll sample exceptional wheels from France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, the U.K. and all across the U.S.— accompanied by fine wines from California and beyond. Come once if you like or choose a discounted three-class series.
We’ll gather for an aperitif and hors d’oeuvre before class, then sit down for our tasting. I’ll guide you through the selections and help you boost your cheese IQ. You’ll be a more knowledgeable consumer and a smarter cheese shopper when you leave.
Among the new class themes this year: American Rock Stars, in June, showcasing seven cheeses that I would put in my personal Hall of Fame; Value Propositions, in July, highlighting cheeses that over-deliver for the price; and Holiday Cheese Plate, in October, featuring deluxe or seasonal cheeses that are ready to party.
During these lively and informal sessions, you'll sample a wide variety of cheese styles and hone your tasting skills. I'll also share tips on how to select, store and serve cheese. World-class cheeses—different every time. Treat a friend. Bring a date. Or purchase classes as a gift. Taken my classes before? Welcome back! You’ll meet many new cheeses this year.
Classes are 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Class size is limited and reservations are required. Click on the desired dates below to reserve your place.
Single class: $80
Mini Tour (three classes of your choice): $225
Cheese Trail gift card holders: please email me (janet@janetfletcher.com) to reserve a class with your gift card.
“Janet's classes are very informative, relaxed, fun and delicious. I highly recommend them for both novice and professional.”
Cindy Pawlcyn
“Thanks for a very enlightening and entertaining series. I was a complete cheese novice when I enrolled, and now I have a much better understanding and fascination with the wide world of cheese. All thanks to you.”
Ron Lee/Mumm Napa
"I have taken almost 30 classes at the Cheese School of San Francisco, and if I had to pick one instructor who I felt was the best of the best, it would be Janet Fletcher."
Michael R. Moyle
Tuesday, February 13
Cheese & Wine: Happily Ever After
On the eve of Valentine’s Day, experience seven magical cheese and wine marriages. What makes these slam-dunk pairings work? Let’s discuss that!
Tuesday, March 12
New & Notable from Europe
Sample the most exciting new imports from Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Portugal, Belgium and beyond.
Tuesday, April 16
April in Paris
We’ll travel to Paris in spirit tonight for an all-French cheese plate. Enjoy seven lesser-known selections from the country that invented the cheese course.
Tuesday, May 21
Tasty Twosomes SOLD OUT
Some of the world’s most exciting cheeses are mixed-milk wheels, made by blending cow, goat, sheep and even water buffalo milk to take advantage of the attributes of each. In this tasting, you’ll sample several exceptional two-milk cheeses and at least one ménage à trois. Learn why each cheesemaker chose that particular blend, and what each type of milk contributes.
Please email me at janet@janetfletcher.com to be placed on the wait list.
Tuesday, June 25
American Rock Stars SOLD OUT
If there were a Hall of Fame for cheeses, these seven would be in it. In my opinion.
Please email me at janet@janetfletcher.com to be placed on the wait list.
Tuesday, July l6
Value Propositions
Why don’t these lovely cheeses cost more? Meet seven selections that consistently over-deliver for the price. Oh, let’s make that eight cheeses so the class is a great value, too.
Reserve
Tuesday, August 13
Cheese & Beer: Best Friends Forever
Learn which cheeses bring out the best in hoppy IPAs, zippy wheat beers, creamy stouts, spicy Belgian ales and malty bocks and brown ales. Whether you’re a craft beer fan or just craft-beer curious, this night’s for you.
Reserve
Tuesday, September 10
ACS Blue-Ribbon Winners
Your opportunity to taste what the experts consider the peak of American cheesemaking. Meet seven category winners from the American Cheese Society competition and, if possible, the Best of Show.
Reserve
Tuesday, October 8
Holiday Cheese Plate
Meet seven deluxe cheeses that are ready to party. Expect a truffled cheese, a triple-cream and some seasonal specialties to dress up your holiday cheese boards.
Reserve
Tuesday, November 12
Bubbles Galore! ONE SEAT LEFT
Discover the cheeses that work best with the sparkling wines we love to drink. This class is always a quick sell-out.
Larger parties: Please email me at janet@janetfletcher.com to be placed on the wait list.
Reserve
Mini Tour
Three Classes of your choice
Reserve
Gift Certificate
Good for any 2024 class with space available
Reserve
Cancellation policy: With two weeks’ notice, you may transfer your reservation to another World Cheese Tour class if space is available. Within two weeks of class, reservations are non-refundable but you may send a friend in your place. If Janet Fletcher must cancel a class, students will have the option of receiving a refund or applying any fees paid to a future class.
Please check my Events page for other upcoming classes and appearances. To inquire about a custom cheese class for a group of any size, please contact me by e-mail at ContactJanet.