About
Meet the team and learn more about our cheesy mission.
In Cheese We Trust
California Cheese Trail promotes artisan creameries and family farmers because we love them. By connecting cheese lovers to shops, classes, events, and tours throughout California, we’re helping save small, family farms, promote rural agrotourism, and support the development of specialty, hand-crafted food.
Since 2010...
Our free website and print maps have dramatically increased the visibility, sales, and appreciation of local cheesemakers throughout the country.
Over 1 Million Visitors
Our website receives tens of thousands of visits every month, and has been accessed by over a million people since launching more than a decade ago.
500,000+ Print Maps
Our beautifully illustrated Print Map is updated annually and distributed in numerous locations throughout the state.
75+ Cheesemakers
Every California Cheesemaker has access to a free listing in our Interactive Trail Map, where you'll find details like their operating hours, contact info, tour offerings, events, retail partners, and more!
A labor of love
Vivien Straus created the Cheese Trail because she simply wanted to support small family farms, and today many of California’s cheesemakers attribute 20%-80% of their sales to customers discovering them on the Cheese Trail!
We're Innovative
During the 2020 Covid shutdown, profits of local cheesemakers and farmers were being decimated, so we launched Cheese Trail Home Delivery to help generate new sales. It Worked!
Our Leadership
Siblings Vivien and Michael Straus (Viv is the boss) have collaborated for years on many projects, supporting family farms and sustainable agriculture.
Michael Straus
Partner
For 25+ years, Michael has dedicated his life to organic food and sustainable agriculture. After helping launch Straus Family Creamery, Michael founded Straus Communications, one of the first public relations agencies specializing in organics and sustainability. Michael also created the nationally syndicated Beyond Organic Radio Show and served as Senior Editor for Green Traveler Guides, where he interviewed eco-pioneers in Mongolia, Nepal, Indonesia, Lebanon, and beyond. Currently, Michael and Vivien co-manage Straus Home Ranch. Unrelated, Michael is also an excellent Remote Viewer.
Vivien Straus
Founder & Managing Partner
A self-avowed “cow expert” as well as a writer/performer known for her quirky one-woman autobiographical shows. As an actress, Vivien’s worked in NYC, LA and SF. She wrote and performed “After I’m Dead, You’ll Have to Feed Everyone” and “E-i-E-i-OY, In Bed with the Farmer’s Daughter.” In times past she was VP Marketing for Straus Family Creamery and led tours at Cowgirl Creamery. She currently manages Straus Home Ranch on Tomales Bay (her childhood home).
Our Leadership
Siblings Vivien and Michael Straus (Viv is the boss) have collaborated for years on many projects, supporting family farms and sustainable agriculture.
Vivien Straus
Founder & Managing Partner
A self-avowed “cow expert” as well as a writer/performer known for her quirky one-woman autobiographical shows, as an actress, Vivien’s worked in NYC, LA and SF. She wrote and performed “After I’m Dead, You’ll Have to Feed Everyone” and “E-i-E-i-OY, In Bed with the Farmer’s Daughter.” In times past she was VP Marketing for Straus Family Creamery and led tours at Cowgirl Creamery. She currently manages Straus Home Ranch on Tomales Bay (her childhood home).
Michael Straus
Partner
For 25+ years, Michael has dedicated his life to organic food and sustainable agriculture. After helping launch Straus Family Creamery, Michael founded Straus Communications, one of the first public relations agencies specializing in organics and sustainability. Michael also created the nationally syndicated Beyond Organic Radio Show and served as Senior Editor for Green Traveler Guides, where he interviewed eco-pioneers in Mongolia, Nepal, Indonesia, Lebanon, and beyond. Currently, Michael and Vivien co-manage Straus Home Ranch. Unrelated, Michael is also an excellent Remote Viewer.
