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Wisconsin Art of Cheese Festival

Join us in teeing off the 2025 Wisconsin Art of Cheese Festival with the inaugural Art of Cheese Open, a shotgun start tournament pairing cheese and golf enthusiasts with Wisconsin cheesemakers, and more. Held at The Oaks Golf Course, golfers can visit the Art of Cheese Clubhouse and Pro Shop, engage with golf-loving cheesemakers, and compete in cheese-themed hole competitions. The Open will conclude with a happy hour awards ceremony honoring those who had a gouda day on the greens. Register now for a grate day of golf!

We’re excited to offer a new foursome discount—register as a group of four for just $187.50 per golfer!

Want to bring a guest? Companion tickets for the awards reception and happy hour are available for $75 each.

This ticket allows you to join us for our awards reception and happy hour. 

Set in a charming historic train platform and dining car, The Harvey House reimagines the classic Wisconsin supper club experience. Named to The New York Times’ 50 Best Restaurants List and featured on Top Chef, this iconic venue will showcase a Wisconsin cheese-centric menu curated by Joe Papach, The Harvey House chef and owner, featuring expertly paired drinks and cheeses, all served with elevated spins on classic Midwestern dishes.

Understanding the nuances of cheese and wine pairings, from the distinct flavors and aromas of the individual components to how those change and complement each other, enhances our appreciation of this classic match. The day starts with a sensory evaluation course taught by experts from the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Center for Dairy Research. We’ll take those lessons on a visit to the American Wine Project and have an expert-led pairing session. We’ll wrap up with a wine and cheese-themed lunch prepared by a renowned local chef.

EARLY BIRD PRICING HAS BEEN EXTENDED.

The Wisconsin Cheese Ball: A Night in Lights will be the ultimate celebration of Wisconsin’s cheese culture. The weekend’s marquee event is the perfect opportunity to pay homage to Wisconsin’s Rock Stars as Wisconsin Cheese legends shine on the big stage. Dance, drink, and rock the night away at Madison’s glammiest, glitziest music venue, The Sylvee. Live music and entertainment, along with cheese experiences galore, make for an electrifying evening of legendary delights. With every note, your cheese dreams will come to life! 

The dress code is music gala glam with a generous side of cheese. Get your red carpet look ready to mingle, dance, and enjoy a whole lot of cheese.

Price increases to $185 on July 28th. 

Take a lunch break with Cheeselandia's School of Cheese! We're turning the tables on our Headmaster, Justin Warner (Chef and Food Network TV star) by giving him an assignment. See if he aces the test to transform ingredients found at the Dane County Farmers Market into a dish worthy of an A+.  Yes, there will be a secret ingredient (or two!). 

Priority access to this event is given to Cheeselandians. Not a member? Join us!  

On Saturday, September 27, an unforgettable flavor experience awaits in Madison, WI. Step inside an exclusive tasting and storytelling event that dives deep into The Art of Exploring Wisconsin’s Dairy Legacy.

Why is Wisconsin home to the best cheese in the world? Is it our lush pastures? The generations of master cheesemakers? Or something even more magical?

Join legendary cheese expert Dean Sommer of the Center for Dairy Research, along with the authors of the new book The Wisconsin Whey, as they unpack the untold stories, milestone moments, and craft secrets behind Wisconsin’s world-renowned cheeses. Expect rare insights, spirited conversation, and yes, plenty of artisan samples to delight your palate.

Attendees will also receive a signed copy of The Wisconsin Whey to take home.

Enjoy an intimate, front-row experience as Chef Patrick O’Halloran—acclaimed former chef-owner of Madison’s beloved Lombardino’s and the visionary behind The Deliciouser and Luke Zahm host of Wisconsin Foodie—present a thoughtfully composed four-course menu inspired by the artistry of Wisconsin’s pioneering women cheesemakers. Set within The Deliciouser’s atmospheric kitchen studio, this immersive evening blends culinary storytelling with elegant, ingredient-driven cuisine. 

Come stretch, center, and relax on Sunday morning at Old Sugar Distillery, where the instructor will lead us through cheese-themed poses. Afterwards, join us for pastries, coffee, and, you guessed it – more cheese! 

Sip, sample, and paint during this fun, hands-on session. Artist Mike Geno, known for his portraits of cheese, will be instructing participant painters as they create their own cheese masterpieces. For inspiration, you will find cheese pairing guides and samples. Wine, cocktails, and mocktails will be served, and you’ll bring home your cheese-on-canvas creation.

Wrap up a cheese-filled weekend at this family-friendly event that is a nod to the Pizza Farm tradition in Wisconsin. The event is held on the banks of the Sugar River in Paoli, at Seven Acre Dairy Company, a restored dairy factory reimagined as a one-of-a-kind restaurant and hotel. Your pizza chef will be Luke Zahm, a James Beard-nominated chef, host of the hit PBS show Wisconsin Foodie, and owner of the widely acclaimed Driftless Café in Viroqua, Wisconsin. Renowned for his artisanal pizzas crafted with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, Luke will collaborate with Flour Girl & Flame to prepare pizzas on-site, each one hand-tossed and fired in a mobile wood-burning oven fueled by Wisconsin kiln-dried cherry wood. Relax outside, grab a slice, and enjoy live entertainment on the banks of the Sugar River to close out the festival. 

Kids 1 and under are free.  

This one-of-a-kind tour through Wisconsin's Driftless region features its unique combination of panoramic vistas, world-class cheesemaking, and storied architecture. Guests will visit Uplands Cheese to learn from Wisconsin Master Cheesemaker Andy Hatch, maker of the award-winning Pleasant Ridge Reserve. The journey continues to Riverview Terrace Café, where chef and host of PBS’s Wisconsin Foodie, Luke Zahm, will discuss the importance of place in crafting artisanal culinary masterpieces, drawing parallels between cheesemaking and Frank Lloyd Wright's architectural innovations. The experience concludes with a private tour of Taliesin, Wright's home and studio, showcasing a deeper appreciation for the region's artistry and heritage.

Price increases to $225 on June 2nd. 

THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT. PLEASE JOIN THE WAITLIST IF YOU'D LIKE TO ATTEND.

Wine and cheese get all the headlines, but it’s hard to beat the bold and smooth flavors of bourbon and Wisconsin cheese. Attendees will begin with a sensory class taught by experts from the Center for Dairy Research to learn how to appreciate every aroma and flavor note. Next, we’ll take that knowledge to J. Henry & Sons for a guided tour and tasting with distinguished cheesemakers from around the state. The experience continues with a multi-course lunch prepared by James Beard Award-nominated Dan Fox of Madison’s celebrated Heritage Tavern. It promises to be an afternoon of refined tastes perfect for your new sensory skills. 

Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese in Waterloo, Wisconsin, is a family-owned farm and creamery, and proud producers of renewable energy.. Their milk is pumped directly into Crave Brothers’ cheesemaking facility, producing incredibly flavorful and award-winning cheese. We’ll tour and taste our way through the farm and creamery to see how they make their spectacular farmstead cheeses. Afterward, we’ll stop for lunch at a nearby retired and reclaimed Wisconsin dairy barn, where chef Evan Dannells from Madison’s Cadre will prepare a Wisconsin Cheese-inspired meal. 

Price increases to $205 on June 2nd. 

Get ready for a delicious adventure as we take you on a tour of Milwaukee’s finest cheese spots. Our first stop is Hill Valley Dairy Creamery with a visit to the brand-new Cheese Bar in Milwaukee’s vibrant Walker’s Point neighborhood, where we’ll indulge in expertly paired cocktails, wine, and cheeses. The day continues with a special lunch at EsterEv, crafted by Top Chef contestant and James Beard Award-nominated chef Dan Jacobs, who will serve up globally inspired dishes that honor his Midwestern roots. We’ll round out the tour with an opportunity to sample and shop at Milwaukee’s Public Market.

Price increases to $225 on June 2nd. 

THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT. PLEASE JOIN THE WAITLIST IF YOU'D LIKE TO ATTEND.

Kickstart your morning with the perfect trio of cheese, coffee, and chocolate. This one-of-a-kind experience blends the artistry of Wisconsin cheese with the rich flavors of coffee and chocolate as experts guide you through the art of pairing these delicious delights. 

THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT. PLEASE JOIN THE WAITLIST IF YOU'D LIKE TO ATTEND.

Learn the basics of pairing as well as crafting a Bloody Mary with a distinctive Wisconsin twist. Visionary cheesemonger Alisha Norris Jones, founder of Immortal Milk, and esteemed mixologist Brian Bartels come together to showcase why this remains a Wisconsin brunch staple. 

THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT. PLEASE JOIN THE WAITLIST IF YOU'D LIKE TO ATTEND.

Taking a bite of good cheddar is so much more than simply a mild-to-sharp experience. Flavorings, rubs, aging, and affinage all greatly affect cheddar’s taste and texture, contributing to an enormous range of flavors. Though it originated in England, Wisconsin cheesemakers have turned cheddar into the favorite it is today. Host Molly Browne, Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin’s Education Director and Dean of Cheese State University, will take attendees on a delicious journey as they taste their way through an expansive cheddar flight, learning about the make process and history along the way.

NEW SESSION NOW OPEN ON SUNDAY.

Sip, sample, and paint during this fun, hands-on session. Artist Mike Geno, known for his portraits of cheese, will be instructing participant painters as they create their own cheese masterpieces. For inspiration, you will find cheese pairing guides and samples. Wine, cocktails, and mocktails will be served, and you’ll bring home your cheese-on-canvas creation.

A perfect wine and cheese pairing can set the tone for an intimate night to remember or become the highlight of a lively celebration with friends. Join us at Madison’s acclaimed L’Etoile, where renowned James Beard award-winning sommelier Belinda Chang and James Beard award-winning author and cheese expert Laura Werlin will guide you through a session that will educate and inspire as you explore the world of Wisconsin cheese and wine pairings.

Price increases to $95 on June 2nd.