World Cheese Tour 2026
14th Season!

Join me for an evening of artisan cheese and fine wine when the World Cheese Tour resumes for its fourteenth year in Napa Valley. The delightful Winston’s Café in Napa will be our host for these seated tastings, each one devoted to a different theme.

I’m an award-winning food writer, publisher of the Planet Cheese blog and author of three books on cheese, and I want to introduce you to some of the cheeses I love best. Over six evenings, you'll sample exceptional wheels from France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, the U.K. and all across the U.S.— accompanied by fine wines from California and beyond. Come once if you like or choose a discounted three-class series.

We’ll gather for an aperitif and hors d’oeuvre before class, then sit down for our tasting. I’ll guide you through the selections and help you boost your cheese IQ. You’ll be a more knowledgeable consumer and a smarter cheese shopper when you leave.

Among the new class themes this year: Get Your Pairing Ph.D., in February, featuring seven blissful wine and cheese marriages; Over Achievers, in March, where you’ll taste some of the winningest cheeses in America; European Royalty, in June, showcasing imported cheeses that set the bar for their style; and The Hits Keep Coming, in July, highlighting outstanding newcomers from near and far.

During these lively and informal sessions, you'll sample a wide variety of cheese styles and hone your tasting skills. I'll also share tips on how to select, store and serve cheese. World-class cheeses—different every time. Treat a friend. Bring a date. Or purchase classes as a gift. Taken my classes before? Welcome back! You’ll meet many new cheeses this year.

Classes are 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Class size is limited and reservations are required.
Click on the desired dates below to reserve your place.

Single class: $85
Mini Tour (three classes of your choice): $240
Grand Tour (all six classes): $450

“Janet's classes are very informative, relaxed, fun and delicious. I highly recommend them for both novice and professional.”
Cindy Pawlcyn

“Thanks for a very enlightening and entertaining series. I was a complete cheese novice when I enrolled, and now I have a much better understanding and fascination with the wide world of cheese. All thanks to you.”
Ron Lee/Mumm Napa

"I have taken almost 30 classes at the Cheese School of San Francisco, and if I had to pick one instructor who I felt was the best of the best, it would be Janet Fletcher."
Michael R. Moyle

Tuesday, February 17

Get Your Pairing Ph.D
What’s the secret to blissful wine and cheese marriages? Master some pairing principles today as you sample seven slam-dunk matches

Tuesday, March 17

Over Achievers
Taste some of the winningest cheeses in America. These beauties pile up the ribbons in competitions at home and abroad because they’re just that consistently good. The judges have spoken. See if you agree that these persistent top finishers deserve their acclaim.

Tuesday, June 16

European Royalty
These seven cheeses, from seven countries, set the bar for their style. Some are classics, others new, but all are undisputed standard bearers. Taste the greats!

Tuesday, July 14

The Hits Keep Coming
Be the first on your block to taste these outstanding newcomers from near and far—all of them destined for glory.

Tuesday, September 15

Blue-Ribbon Winners from the American Cheese Society
Your chance to taste what experts consider the peak of American cheesemaking. Enjoy seven category winners in a range of styles. If available, we’ll taste the Best of Show.

Tuesday, October 20

A Sparkling Evening
We’ll drink sparkling wines from start to finish tonight, with seven cheeses that make them soar. And, yes, there will be Champagne!

Cancellation policy: With two weeks’ notice, you may transfer your reservation to another World Cheese Tour class if space is available. Within two weeks of class, reservations are non-refundable but you may send a friend in your place. If Janet Fletcher must cancel a class, students will have the option of receiving a refund or applying any fees paid to a future class.

Please check my Events page for other upcoming classes and appearances. To inquire about a custom cheese class for a group of any size, please contact me by e-mail at ContactJanet.