This Bistro Cheese Store is still as good as it gets. I purchased a family member a cheese with Black Truffles in it, the other day. She loved it. read more

Charming store and worth stopping in if you're a cheese lover. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. There are all kinds of high quality, fun items for purchase, and of course, delicious food. read more

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When I saw a blurb on Cheese School's site that there's a new spot curating locally produced, limited supply cheeses - our calendar was marked! And who would drive all the way to wine country to indulge in a cheese shop that focuses on cow, sheep, goat and buffalo milk, sourced primarily from within a twenty minute radius of their store? THESE TWO! That's who! Omar has a great wealth of cheese knowledge & has established relationships all over these parts, to acquire small batch productions of some of the best cheese you'll ever put in your mouths We got 4 cheeses on our visit & could have easily bought many more! Point Reyes Blue - but this is not the Point Reyes you see everywhere. This is a new line of Blue that PR is making & it's being touted as their Premium Blue & let's just say it's a whole different animal from their "regular" blue offering. And let's also just say I'm STILL dreaming about that blue, even a month later! SO CREAMY & mild & veined w/ tons of blue mold...& you won't need - or even want for that matter - a cracker or piece of bread to wash it down. Totally wished we had bought the whole wheel of this Sheep's milk cheese - this was the hardest cheese of the bunch & it was still a softer cheese - kind of reminded me of something like a Parm but it was nutty & rich & oh so good! Goat's milk gouda-like - this was creamy & melted in the mouth Buffalo-milk was our 2nd fav of the bunch - this was creamy & just a bit stinky & yes, I'm of those who like stinky cheeses I absolutely cannot wait to come back & enjoy more excellent LOCAL cheese! read more

I may not advertise it, but I like me some Fat Bottom Girl. Cheese, that is. :D I was already thrilled that we'd stumbled upon this artisan cheese shop in the middle of nowhere, but when the charming and handsome proprietor Omar started plying me with liberal cheese samples, well, who could resist that? FAC specializes in local cheeses and, situated as it is near Petaluma, the epicenter of the Northern California artisan cheese movement, there are many gorgeous wheels gracing its cases. We nibbled on some California emmenthaler, the peppery Devil's Gulch from pioneer Cowgirl Creamery, plus a countless number of other cheeses: sharp, mild, soft, hard--but all wonderful. I do believe Omar would have let us try every cheese in the shop, even the imports from legendary Neal's Yard in London, and I would happily have spent the rest of my day there. But midway through my cheese euphoria, it occurred to me to ask Omar if he had a cheese I'd tried back home in Silicon Valley, courtesy of our resident cheese whiz, Darren Ryan of Cream and the Crop. Now what was it called? Big girl bottoms or something similar and a bit racy? Omar smiled knowingly and selected a carefully wrapped package from his board, then presented me with the last wedge of his Fat Bottom Girl cheese from Bleating Heart Cheese in Tomales. With a name inspired by the Queen song and its slightly J.Lo-esque shape, FBG is a sheep's milk cheese that is simply buttery, nutty goodness. I bought the entire chunk, and it may well have been the last piece of FBG available in retail, as I see Bleating Heart has completely sold out online. Anyway, if you find yourself remotely close to Freestone, do stop by. Omar will certainly make it an experience you won't soon forget. Plus if you visit the nearby Joseph Phelps tasting room and Wild Flour bakery, you'll have the makings of an excellent picnic that former chef Omar can help you round out at FAC. Or, if you want something sweet or savory instead after all your wine or cheese tasting, he'll make a crepe to order. ::::::: Fat Bottom Girl, you make my cheesy world go round! read more

Freestone Artisan Cheese - Fat Bottom Girl from Freestone Artisan Cheese. - Cheese Shops Near Me - Freestone, California

I've really been contemplating a lot before writing this review... Just as everyone says, the cheese is wonderful!!! However, I left here feeling very awkward and slightly offended. My friends had come in from out of town and I was very excited to take them to the Wild Flower Bread place then go here for cheese before we hit the beach in Bodega. I had never been to this cheese place before but had read all the reviews and I was super excited to try...I LOVE cheese. When we got here there were a few older folks checking out the cheese and having samples so we decided to look around to not crowd. When we finally walked up and asked to have some samples as well...I noticed that the owner was very friendly to everyone and looked at us a little odd. No big deal. Until I also noticed that he was giving other people samples of the cheese and then taking the same size sample and breaking it into three pieces for us to share. Now, I'm not the sample police and I know this ain't costco...however...when you see everyone else being handed a sample then you and your friends are given one sample to share...I don't know...that seemed super rude and judgmental to me. Even after the other folks bought their cheese and left, we were still being handed one sample broken into three pieces...maybe he thought we didn't have a lot of money because we are younger? I just don't know. The the owner asks if we like goat cheese, I tell him, I do not like goat cheese but my friends do! (My friends and I had just been talking about that at the bread place so it was funny to me) and he exclaims to me, "Wow, you're really judgmental!!" WTF. OK. I'm judgmental because I don't like goat cheese, or because when asked I responded with my opinion. OK. That's was interesting. Then he asks me if the fairy tattoo on my arm is Betty Page...I don't know what that had to do with anything or who would think Betty Page looks like a japanimation fairy. It was just weird...I had a weird experience here. I honestly do not think the owner was trying to offend me or my friends, maybe trying too hard to be funny?...I was not amused. We ended with a nice soft, creamy, delicious cheese...spent more money than the people who got their full samples...OK. Yeah. So obviously I'm still giving 4 stars because the cheese was wonderful, I just had a weird offensive experience with the owner. I don't appreciate being called judgemental because I don't like goat cheese. I'm not so offended that I'm going to give 3 stars or less though, lol, as I mentioned, I LOVE cheese!!! And, yes, they do have wonderful, delicious, tasty local cheeses made from local milks. read more

Great place to buy cheese (Any type, local, artisan, out of town); delicious cheese; they will treat you REALLY WELL, you can sample whatever you want. They also have olive oils, chocolate, etc Their crepes are DELICIOUS, freshly and hand made. Omar, the owner, is usually there; he is very nice. read more

I LOVE this place! I visit Monte Rio a few times a year and I make sure to stop at Freestone Artisan Cheese on our way up every time! We are usually getting together with friends and family and their cheeses make for a great cheese plate for our gatherings. Their service is amazing. They are happy to sample all the yummy cheese they have to offer. Can't wait for our next visit in September!! read more

How do you make cheese better? You get to try lots of it with really nice folks who aren't snobby or too hip but just like cheese and sharing it with people. We tried at least 7 cheeses, all local and you can buy any size of cheese. They have other cheese goods like honey, meat, crackers etc. and since they are close to Wildflower bakery you can have fresh bread and amazing cheese in a beautiful setting. So excited to have found this place and we'll be back! read more

Super expensive, super tasty, yet gave me the stomach ache from hell. I don't know what else to add to this review. Try it for yourself. read more

Wow this place is awesome. Stopped by on a Saturday afternoon and Omar insisted I try some cheese. Got to try some soft rind stuff as well as an Edam and some blues. A vendor dropped off a batch of goat cheese while I was there which I thought was really cool. Omar busted out some creamy soft blue from point Reyes and then had some funky smoked blue as well. He suggested some Black Betty Gouda and it was a great choice. Besides the cheese he has several different types of artisan olive oil which is probably delicious as well. Finally what I was really impressed with was how he wrapped the cheese. Real cheese paper on your piece of cheese cut to order and it will keep at home. All in all definitely worth the drive to Freestone! read more

What a cute little cheese shop! We recently stopped by for some baguettes and ended up buying two types of cheese, salami, and some fig preserves for a delicious lunch. The shop owner was very helpful. He made recommendations and let us try several types of cheese - all of which were delicious! read more

This is a great new addition to Freestone. Stop at Wild Flour for bread, here for cheese and other goodies, and you have a full-fledged gourmet lunch for a picnic. Lots of varieties of cheese. We sampled a Wisconsin gryuere, delightfully nutty. Friendly service. If we'd have an ice chest, we would have bought some to take home. The crepes also were a tantalizing option if we hadn't had other plans for lunch. read more

Wow! What a find! This is NOT just a place to buy artisan cheese for home - it is the best place in the area to make a gourmet picnic lunch! We went the wrong direction from Wild Flour Bakery (another not-to-be-missed spot) and stumbled upon one of the best cheese shops we have been to. The owner and his son were delightful to speak with about all things cheese - and much more! And the employee was friendly, knowledgeable, and meticulous in the wrapping of our cheese selections. We were able to pick small slices of a half dozen cheeses (all local to Northern California) and have a gourmet meat, cheese and (Wild Flour Bakery) bread picnic! Well worth the trip! read more

Adorable shop with an incredibly sweet owner, cheese was to die for, whatever I got from Point Reyes will be devoured in a few days most likely. Highly recommend! read more

Best little, big cheese shop in Sonoma county (and i have been to many of them and to quite a few individual creameries as well). I have been three times now and each time I discover new cheeses and delights(try to olympia meat's breakfast sausage, unbelievable and not easy to find). The cheesemongers working here are all highly skilled in all aspects of cooking and cuisine beyond just cheese. Be patient, as they appropriately take their time with each customer and give tastes of any cheese you wish to sample. Their selection combines both the best local and world cheeses. They focus on quality, seasonality and freshness , so don't expect the same cheese is available each time you go. If you go to wild flour, you have to go here next to complement the bread. Just go if anywhere within 30 miles. read more

This classy little cheese shop a short distance out of sebastopol is the best. We recently stopped by to choose a variety of cheese for a trip north. The shop was bustling but the proprietor kept everyone happy by providing samples. The goat cheese was very excellent and it traveled well. read more

Great little cheese shop with an amazing selection. Friendly and knowledgeable owners. Highly recommend. My wife and I stop in every time we're in the area read more

Best cheese shop in Sonoma county hands down. The staff is wonderful, and the crepes are fantastic(especially the ham and cheese).Derek (the manager)was super helpful and had answers to all of our cheese related questions he is very knowledgeable despite his young age. Next time you are in the area freestone Artisan Cheese is a must to stop by and get some cheese! They are truly a Sonoma county treasure. read more

My husband and I stopped at this cozy cheese shop and enjoyed sampling tasty cheeses and shared a buckwheat ham and cheese crape. All were delicious. We bought 2 small pieces of cheese to take home to share with our children - who loved it all. Especially the sheep cheese. Omar was very friendly and we enjoyed chatting about movies, art, and good food. Thanks! read more

Disappointed with my recent experience. Brought 2 family members after raving to them, all of us huge cheese lovers. Was greeted by a women, but by the time we made it to the tasting counter we patiently waited for the owner to finish with a group, then we started with tasting. After 2 cheeses, my grandma decided to purchase, while 2 of us were still wanting to taste more. We had to ask the women and was received with her chilly demeanor & we felt the cold, enough to quickly pick up & leave. Add salt to the wound, the gentlemen processed my card for a wrong amount, he felt bad & said he would give a discount, he did, $0.73..wow, thanks for the discount. read more

Fabulous assortment of fresh local cheeses as well as several different olive oils and vinegars. The crepes they were cooking while we were here smelled divine. We ended up buying five different types of cheeses which we paired with bread from Wild Flour and wine from Joseph Phelps for a fabulous dinner. The owner is quite generous with his cheese samples - you get a mini-meal while there! I liked the option of "bottling" your choice of olive oil into a Mason jar - there were three different choices of 'pour your own' and lots of already bottled olive oil choices. My particular favorite cheese was a bleu cheese made in Tomales Bay - soooo good! I'm already looking forward to our next trip to this gem of a shop! read more

West Sonoma County is renowned for its' dairy farms. But the small scale, artisan cheese makers are raising the art/science of cheese making to new heights. We love all blue cheese and Freestone Artisan does not disappoint. Wild Flour Bakery gave us the fresh baked bread, Joseph Phelps gave us Freestone Pinot Noir and now we have world class, locally produced cheeses to complement. All in the tiny hamlet of Freestone. read more

Wonderful little cheese shop nestled in one of the most scenic parts of west Sonoma County. There is a fantastic selection of local cheeses as well as artisan olive oils and vinegars. Omar, the owner, is always there to greet you with a smile on his face, and his knowledge of cheese is encyclopedic. Also make sure to try one of Omar's crepes! They are to die for! read more

Freestone Artisan Cheese - Freestone Artisan Cheese - Cheese Shops Near Me - Freestone, California

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This was the best cheese-house experience, yet. The staff was very hospitable. We felt like their only customer. Lots of samples were offered and accepted. We even received suggestions of interest for our unplanned day. The selection of oils and vinegars was nice, but it was the cheese that topped our purchase list. We purchased four different types. Local cheeses full of flavor, and a staff that welcomed us like we were family---I can't wait to return. I highly recommend! read more

Wanted to go to the bakery next door, but was closed for the holidays! So we decided to checkout Freestone Artisan Cheese. The lady behind the counter (sorry... didn't get your name!) was very knowledgeable and provided us with tons of samples. All of the cheeses we tried were absolutely delicious, and we left with a bunch of smelly delicious cheese. If you're in the area, this is a great place to check out! read more

I felt Omar was a little stingy with the cheese I walk through the door planning on buying maybe three pounds of cheese and a whole salami at the very least. I felt maybe he judged me bye the way I was dressed or questions I asked. Just really stingy with the samples you know I want to buy a pound of cheese a quarter of a gram sample is nothing in the scheme of things. Just a couple miles down the road is another market that sells all kinds of gourmet cheese right in sebastopol I ended up going there to make my purchase after stopping and picking up two loaves of bread in freestone. Omar you should never judge a book by its cover and don't horde your cheese. Maybe I will stop in again sometime but I want to taste it first before I pay 30 dollars a pound . Please get rid of the rat traps on the side of your building I'm an animal lover and there are better ways to solve your problem read more

Amazing cheeses, super knowledgeable and friendly staff. Free samples. Had a hard time deciding which cheeses to bring home as they were all sooooo good. And I'm a cheese snob. read more

We spent a late morning here exploring artisan cheeses! Omar was so friendly and informative. He took his time to explain the origin of each of the cheese as well as the flavors, he seems to sincerely love what he is doing! We left with 3 cheeses that we had for dinner later in the day - with a good loaf of bread we picked up from a local bakery! What a find! read more

I absolutely love this place. Great variety in cheese, cracker, oils, vinegars, and jams. It's such a cute little shop and the gentleman that works here is so sweet. He let me taste all kids of cheeses to help me make a choice. I love coming here! read more

The owner Omar is great ! Along with the rest of his staff. They make great crepes, are very helpful explaining the variety of food they have + just overall great atmosphere read more

Way overpriced just like the tasting room down the street..Even more expensive then Whole Foods

We stopped by in mid February while visiting creameries in the area and had such a wonderful visit with Omar. What a great shop!! Picked out a great blue that doesn't make it to Southern California quite as often. Next time we are in the area we'll stop in! read more

Got the bread at Wild Flour, and here is the fresh local cheeses. Great stop to add when you come out to Wild Flour.

Omar made me a GF buckwheat crepe yesterday (my actual birthday!) with butter & cheese--it was yummy! I'm GF so I had some limitations of some of the samples and products... AND he has GF Mary's Gone Crackers to go w many sumptuous cheeses for sale. The olive oils are top notch too! Definitely worth a stop on the Bohemian Hwy! He has picked some "best of best" chocolates--companies I too would put in my store if I had an artisan food venue. Thank you! read more

It's just a great excuse to eat yummy cheese. Go to the bakery down the street then hit this place up for some cheese goodness. You won't be disappointed. And the people are all really nice. read more

Love this place. The owner was so helpful and encouraged us to taste everything in the store. Great cheeses, and the buffalo milk gelato is amazing. Crepes and olive oil are superb. They also have great recommendations for other shops nearby. You really can't go wrong. read more

Omar collects and offers the most amazing local cheese (crackers, jams, prosciutto, olive oils!) AND the most excellent cup of pour over coffee I've ever had in my life. Speaking as a former night ER nurse, that's saying something. Whatever you do, don't order the cheese crepe. It will ruin you. read more

So many cheeses! Also some really interesting pasta and other goodies. But come here, go to Wild Flour, and you've got yourself an awesome lunch. Wallace and Gromit would go nutso here. :) read more

Stumbled upon this place one very lucky day, and have gone back a few times. Omar, the owner had us sample a variety of cheeses each building on the last. . . Or expanding our pallet. . . He may explain it better. Basically we bought them all so we could make cheese boards at home instead of having to wait and eat them when we go out to nice restaurants. I learned a lot about cheese. And even got a special cheese vault to keep my favorite cheeses tasting their best! California has some of the best cheeses, and specifically Sonoma county, so it is nice to be able to eat these cheeses and see how close each farm or cheese maker is located by looking up at the chalk board where Omar has posted the proximity of where these scrumptious delights have originated. Great place to take out of town guests, or to grab a quick crepe. read more

So glad I had the chance to stop by here today! I've been waiting for this place to open for some time and it did not dissapoint! First, as others said, Omar is fantastic. He is friendly, helpful and will give you a sample of any of his local, delicious cheeses. He doesn't just sell the cheese, he kind of curates a cheese collection for you to buy from. Try a few. Tell him what you like and he'll find other things for you to try. The only problem: they're all amazing. There are also great local vinegars, nuts, jams, olive oils, crackers and more. I love that you can refill your olive oil from bulk! He somehow managed to make us a couple of crepes while helping other customers and yes, the sweet little redwood grove just outside makes a fantastic picnic spot. The inside of the shop is lovely with lots of great local details. I'll be back here and feel lucky that we have such a gem so close by. read more