Bodega Blue Cheese

Bodega Blue is a raw milk blue cheese from William Cofield Cheesemakers in Sebastopol, California — the first proper British-style cheesemaker in Wine Country. Inspired by traditional English Stilton but made with raw, organic milk from grass-fed Jerseys at Willow Creek, this cheese is hand-ladled, milled, salted, and molded with the same care as its counterparts across the pond. Each six-pound wheel is “rubbed up,” a technique that smooths the rind into a butter-like consistency reminiscent of frosting a cake. After several weeks, the wheels are pierced to allow oxygen in, activating the blue mold that creates its striking veins and layered flavor.

The flavor profile of Bodega Blue is a balance of sweet and savory, with gentle saltiness, earthy blue notes, and a hint of beef broth richness. Its texture is dense yet creamy, with the satisfying crumble of a traditional blue. On a cheese board, it pairs beautifully with nuts, pears, figs, and honey. It also makes a bold addition to salads, melts wonderfully into sauces, or crumbles perfectly over grilled steaks. By marrying traditional English cheesemaking with the terroir of Sonoma’s coast, Bodega Blue is a complex, rewarding cheese that reflects both craftsmanship and place.

• Pairings: Port, Sauternes, or California Zinfandel.