Fourth Annual Wisconsin Original Cheese Festival

November 9-10 at the Monona Terrace, Madison, Wis. Click here for directions.

Friday All-Day Farm & Creamery Tours

Tour a cheese plant, walk a dairy barn, enjoy lunch at the local tavern, and eat fresh, warm Cheddar cheese curds right out of the vat. Three different customized, small-group tours give a unique back-stage pass to America’s Dairyland.
Price: $115 per person. Advance tickets required.

Friday Evening Meet the Cheesemaker Evening Gala

This event moves into the ballroom at Monona Terrace, as the number of rock star cheesemakers explodes, and demand to shake hands and talk shop with Wisconsin’s best artisans continues to grow. Meet 40 cheesemakers, sample more than 150 original cheeses and enjoy appetizers with your favorite wine or microbrew. Afterward, purchase your favorites at the Metcalfe Marketplace booth and take home a piece of Wisconsin.
Price: $29 per person. Advance tickets required.

Saturday Seminars

New in 2012, attendees may purchase an all-inclusive Saturday pass providing VIP access to a morning keynote session, luncheon and two afternoon educational and tasting seminars. The festival is excited to welcome Ari Weinzweig, author, super-foodie and co-founder of Zingerman’s Community of Businesses, who will lead a morning panel discussion with Wisconsin cheesemakers and industry leaders on “The Future of Farmstead & Artisan Cheeses in Wisconsin.” All attendees will then enjoy an elegant sit-down luncheon in the Grand Terrace. In the afternoon, attendees may choose to attend two of four different afternoon seminars, each featuring a panel of Wisconsin cheesemakers and cheese tastings.
Price $85. Advance tickets required.

Saturday Evening Cheesemaker Dinners

Experience a one-of-a-kind three-course meal at one of 10 Madison Originals restaurants, where each chef partners with a Wisconsin artisan cheesemaker to host an amazing dinner centered around cheese. Choose your favorite restaurant and join the featured cheesemaker at a private table for 15. A perfect way to cap your Wisconsin Original Cheese Festival experience.
Price: $75 Advance tickets required.