Whey to go: Artisanal cheeses of the Central Coast
Story and photos By Don Sonderling
Ready to get cheesy? We sure are! Here are some highlights of the Central Coast cheese scene.
Santa Barbara County
Michael and Kathryn Graham, owners of Cheese Shop Santa Barbara, “Aim to cheese.” They describe themselves as “the neighborhood shop of years gone by,” so when you want some cheese, with friendly service, this is the place to go. Here, you’ll find cheese (and more) for your party, picnic, and simply snacking.
I first heard about this small neighborhood store from my daughter, who was visiting Santa Barbara. She called and said, “Dad, I just went into this cheese shop, and the aromas reminded me of Grandma’s kitchen when she was baking bourekas [a Sephardic pastry with potato and lots of cheese]. You should go!” And, so I did.
Located in downtown Santa Barbara between Garden and State streets, Kathryn and Michael have been at this location for about 22 years. Their store offers more than 125 different cheeses, around three dozen cured and specialty meats, house-made chicken pâté, other meat products, and additional specialty items.
You may be helped by Mike the Master Cheese Monger, Kathryn, or another knowledgeable employee, but rest assured — they all know cheese.
You’ll find cheeses you are familiar with, but the fun is all the cheeses you are NOT familiar with! They are constantly searching for new cheeses and places to purchase from, so every trip is an exploration of the world of cheese. Imports include cheese from France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Holland, Canada, the UK, Spain, Austria, and Mexico. From the USA, you will discover cheese from California, Iowa, Maryland, Wisconsin (and not just cheddar), Oregon, Minnesota, Indiana, Vermont, and Washington.
And the beauty of going into the shop is that you can sample cheeses you are interested in. Cheese Shop Santa Barbara puts the “art” in the word ARTISANAL when it comes to cheese. Additionally, CSSB offers a “cheese of the month club,” and on the first and third Saturdays of each month, it hosts a fun, casual cheese-and-imported-wine pairing.
Visiting CSSB is a must for cheese lovers, like being a kid in a candy shop — only here, it’s an adult kid in a cheese shop. CSSB sources from smaller producers both locally and internationally, with unique offerings such as Afterglow, Brabander, Reverie, and more.
Cheese Shop Santa Barbara is located at 827 Santa Barbara St, Santa Barbara. For more: cheeseshopsb.com
San Luis Obispo County
Vintage Cheese Company in San Luis Obispo opened in May 2025 by Ryan Davis at the new SLO Ranch Farms and Marketplace. It’s a must-visit for cheese lovers, as well as for discovering artisanal specialty foods
and treats. You’ll find all kinds of amazing food vendors at the public market. And the vibe! This is a perfect place to walk around, snack, relax, bring your kids, gather with the community, and support small businesses.
But let’s talk cheese.
Vintage Cheese Company is a cheese lover’s paradise. When you walk in, you’ll pass by the “build your own charcuterie box” stand. Look toward the back of the store, and you will see the aging room with wheels of cheddar (aged 9 to 12 months) and wheels of gouda (aged 12 to 15 months). You’ll feel like you’re in cheese heaven.
Vintage Cheese’s philosophy for their artisanal cheeses is to handcraft them with love, based on traditional European recipes, using the freshest, purest ingredients from cows, sheep, and goats. They offer a vast selection (25 to 30 different varieties) of cheeses, including Jack, Paneer, Parmesan, Romano, and a variety of sheep and goat milk cheeses. You can also find imported cheeses, including a great French Brie.
These cheese mongers also produce more than 15 types of cheese of their own, which are packaged and available for purchase from the refrigerated cheese cabinet. And, of course, to help you decide which cheeses to take home, which to include in your charcuterie box, or bring on a picnic, there is a sample bin with about a dozen different cheeses. Selections will vary, but you will find a range of Cheddars, including chipotle, habanero, sage, and garlic. You’ll also find samples of Gouda and Monterey Jack.
Along with cheese, you’ll also be able to satisfy your sweet tooth with Vintage’s on-site handmade fudge (always about a dozen varieties) and chocolate truffles. And yes, you can sample them there too.
In the summer, you can watch the cheese making process every Friday through Sunday, mainly involving processing Jack, Cheddar, and Gouda. Future plans include cheese-making classes in partnership with the esteemed Cal Poly SLO agricultural school.
Vintage Cheese Company is located at 871 Froom Ranch Way Ste. 150, San Luis Obispo, or vintagecheese.com. For more on SLO Ranch Farms and Marketplace, visit sloranchfarms.com
Paso Robles
Vivant Fine Cheese has been a mainstay in Paso Robles for 20 years, since opening in 2006, and is gearing up to celebrate its 20th anniversary as a leading cheese purveyor in Paso Robles and the Central Coast.
Owner Danika Gordon is the ultimate cheese lover, educator, and purveyor, and if you don’t find the cheese you’re looking for here, you won’t find it anywhere! This is the place to pick up cheese and bread or a deli sandwich for a picnic while you go wine tasting, hiking, or just exploring for the day. Or if you’re having a party (big or small), let Vivant put together one of its specialty cheese-and-charcuterie boards.
Offering more than 150 varieties of cheese, both locally sourced and imported, this is a cheese lover’s paradise. Be sure to taste before you buy; there are always samples! The friendly and knowledgeable staff are happy to provide tastings and information.
Over the years, Vivant has built a strong reputation in Paso and the Central Coast. And if you’re looking for something fun, tasty, and educational, consider planning a wine-and-cheese-pairing event led by Danika! Whether it’s a wine party, corporate event, birthday celebration, or other gathering, it’s as cheesy (in a good way) as you can get. You can also join their cheese club to ensure a steady supply of quality cheeses regularly. Four times a year (December, March, June, and September), you will receive four specially selected cheeses for the season, accompanied by tasting notes and food and wine pairing suggestions. This is the “ultimate” gift for a cheese lover!
This year, Vivant’s 20th anniversary, there will be special events. Get on their mailing list to keep track of everything that’s going on!
Vivant Fine Cheese is located at 821 Pine St, Ste. B in Paso Robles. For more: vivantfinecheese.com