Introduction to Wine and Cheese

Date: Tuesday, June 9 Materials Fee : $25 at class

Sippin’ and chompin’ our way through the world’s rich food history we will explore artisanal and farmstead production of wines and cheeses from regions and AVA’s the world over. During class demonstrations you’ll learn about your own palate and how to see, smell and taste your way through pairings of nuts, fruits, jams and assorted accoutrements along with sensational cheese and wines.

Please bring 2 wine glasses to class.

 

Bubbly Wines and Creamy Cheeses

Date: Tuesday, June 21 Materials Fee : $35

Travel down a sensory overloaded path filled with sparkling wines from all over the world. We’ll pair the bubbly with gorgeous silky cheeses and explore textures, tastes and flavors. Learn how Sparkling wines are made and what makes them so special and sought after. You will learn about winemaking and cheesemaking styles and methodology – as well as how to recreate this perfect pairing in your own home. Come learn the skills necessary to wow your friends and neighbors.

Contact: (408) 864-8817 or shortcourses@fhda.edu

Fall Class Schedule to be released August 15, 2009

Office of Continuing Education - (415) 561-1860

Fall Class Schedule to be released August 15, 2009

2155 Powell Street, 2nd Floor
(between Francisco & Chestnut)
San Francisco, CA 94133
Phone: (415) 346-7530
Fax: (415) 346-8570

The Cheese School of San Francisco is the only independent institution of its kind in the nation dedicated entirely to helping people maximize their enjoyment and appreciation of cheese through education and tasting events, both structured and informal.

Mediterranean Mama

Date: Sunday, May 10th; 2:00 - 4:00 pm Instructors: Melissa Schilling & Tabitha Stroup Cost: $65 per person Core Tasting

The fertile soils, sun-kissed terrain and rich cultures that ring the coral blue Mediterranean make for some of the most interesting cheeses and wines the world has to offer. In this class we’ll enjoy a wide assortment of Mediterranean cheeses –perfectly paired with regional wines, golden green olives, plush figs and other sensational accompaniments – as we taste our way through Coastal Spain, Southern France, Southern Italy, Portugal, Greece and Northern Africa. Come be fabulous and pampered with us – maybe sign up with your own Mama to make it a special Mother's Day treat for the two of you!?!

 

Chenin & Chèvre

Date: Saturday, July 11; 2:00 - 4:00 pm Instructors: Melissa Schilling & Tabitha Stroup Cost: $65 per person Exploring Further

While chèvre always announces itself with the distinct characteristics and flavors of goat’s milk, these cheeses – particularly of the fresh variety – can provide a fairly neutral and delicate palette for the expression of nuances of terroir and the cheesemaker’s treatment. And the same is often said of Chenin Blanc – a remarkably versatile varietal that can become many different, great things in the hands of a great wine maker. Popular instructors Melissa Schilling and Tabitha Stroup will lead you on a journey of fantastic flavor pairings.

 

Sheep Showdown

Date: Thursday, August 13; 6:30 - 8:30 pm Instructors: Melissa Schilling & Tabitha Stroup Cost: $65 per person Exploring Further

Yee haw! This class is a rodeo of flavors. Sheep produce remarkably rich milk – higher in fat content than other milk types – and that’s what makes sheep cheeses so easy to love. In this class we’ll explore terroir around the world while pampering our palettes with luscious, creamy sheep’s milk selections from all around the world, covering the gamut from classic Pyrénées brebis, to Tuscan gems, to gorgeous American originals – paired with floating effervescent bubbles, zippy acidic white wines, light bodied red gems and heavy purple teeth stainers. Come rope yourself a few winners!

Jenni Ward
767 Cathedral Dr, Aptos
(831)818-9569
earthartstudio@comcast.net

Bubbles & Beads

Dates: Monday, July 20th              Wednesday, July 22nd              Monday, July 27th              Wednesday, July 29th Cost: $65 class fee

It’s always ALL about the accessories. In this two week workshop you will create handmade beads, necklaces, earrings and accoutrements all while swilling bubbly. Travel down a sensory overloaded path filled with sparkling wines from all over the world. We’ll pair the bubbly with gorgeous silky cheeses and explore textures, tastes and flavors.

 

Pop Art & Pie

Dates: Thursday, June 25th; 3:00 to 4:30 pm              Thursday, July 2nd; 3:00 to 4:30 pm Cost: $75 class fee

Pop art is an art movement of the 1950s and 1960s. Characterized by themes and techniques drawn from popular ‘Americana’ mass culture, such as advertising, comic books and mundane cultural objects. Think Andy Warhol’s Campbell Soup Can or a Roy Lichtenstein comic strip. In this two -part workshop, children will find and isolate a culinary object of their choosing: a fork, a lemon wedge, a butter pat to name a few. In a nod to the Fourth of July holiday, children will also deconstruct and reconstruct an apple pie.

Must be 8 years old or confident using a knife in this class.

2367 Alamo Pintado Avenue
Los Olivos, CA 93441
(805) 938-7365
info@thebenchwines.com

Open from 10:00am - 5:00pm daily

Our family has been farming vineyards and making wine on the Santa Maria Bench for more than two decades. In addition to the sheer beauty of the landscape, this is one of California's finest grape growing regions. We have opened our tasting room in Los Olivos to celebrate the remarkable wines of the Santa Maria Bench and other superb sites throughout Santa Barbara County. Be sure to drop by the tasting room anytime to say hello, share a glass of wine, and learn more about four of Santa Barbara's most respected producers: Kinton, Byron, Cambria and Io.

Pass the Cheese Please

Date: Thursday, July 15th, 2009 Location: The Bench Tasting Room

So this is How the French Do It The second of our Interactive Educational Exhibits explores the world of cheese and wine. Soft, hard, subtle or pungent, cheese is the perfect accompaniment to many of the world's great wines. Join us and our cheese educator, Melissa Schilling of Praise Cheeses, as we sample a selection of local and imported cheeses. Together we will learn how to match up different cheeses with our favorite bottlings.

 

Sustainability is the Future

Date: Saturday, September 19th; 11:00 am - 2:00 pm Location: Byron Winery & Vineyard Cost: $50 per person / Wine Club $45

How We're Farming for Tomorrow The third installment of our Interactive Educational Exhibits details how our vineyard managers are farming for tomorrow. Join us as we take an in-depth look at the proprietary sustainable farming methods we use at all of our estate vineyards. Learn and understand what we do to help the environment while growing the best vines possible. This event will be educational and fun. And yes, there will be food and wine. Lunch is included.

 

An Unconventional Discussion of Wine

Date: Friday, November 13th; 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Location: The Bench Tasting Room Cost: $30 per person / Wine Club $25

Wine and the Arts The fourth installment of our Interactive Educational Exhibits teaches patrons how to use the arts to describe wine. Have you ever enjoyed a wine and compared it to your favorite jazz vocalist? Maybe described a Pinot or Chardonnay in the lexicon of pottery, oil-painting or photography? It's an unconventional, but effective way to personalize your wine tasting experience and also to remember your impressions. The event will feature local artists, local chefs and local wines (ours). You will have a good time!

 

Holiday Open House

Date: Wednesday, December 9th; 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Location: The Bench Tasting Room Cost: $10 per person / Wine Club Complimentary

We hope you can join us for our Holiday Open House at The Bench tasting room. It's our chance to personally thank you for your support throughout the year. As part of the festivities, we will be introducing our new Byron Cuvre wines. These limited production wines are inspired by the holiday season and the times we share with family and friends. There will also be music, appetizers and maybe a special guest or two.