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FAQs

Cheese and Cheese Care

Where can I purchase your cheese?

There are a couple of ways:

1.We’ve got our Online Cheese Shop where we can FedEx Cowgirl Creamery and some of our favorite cheese artisans to you nationwide.

2.Check out your local cheese section. We’re available in some shops across the country such as: Whole Foods Market, Kroger Stores (anywhere there’s a Murray’s Cheese Section), and specialty and independent stores around the country. Read here for a list by region.

Are your cheeses organic?

Yes, everything we make is certified organic. Our online store sells our organic artisan cheeses as well as specialty cheeses from other producers - some certified organic, some not.

Where do you source your milk?

Our milk is locally sourced from farmer partners in Northern California.

Do all your cheeses contain cow’s milk?

Yes, all of the cheese we make at Cowgirl Creamery are based on the organic, pasture-based milk we get from our farm partners. 

Our online store sells our cow's milk cheeses, as well as other varieties (goat, sheep, etc.) from our fellow producers. 

How should I store the cheese?

As soon as you get it home, store the unopened cheese in the refrigerator for best quality. Any opened pieces can be re-wrapped in the cheese paper it comes in. 

If you don’t have cheese paper, use something that will keep the cheese covered so that it doesn’t dry out in the fridge. Other customers have used reusable beeswax food cloths and parchment paper. Plastic wrap can be used, but it’s better for harder cheeses than delicate soft cheese. 

There’s some mold on the cheese, is it still good?

Mold is a vital part of cheesemaking, developing flavor and texture.  It’s what makes that beautiful pale rind on Mt Tam. 

Sometimes, mold can appear on the surface after packaging. You may seen blooms of white, gray, blue, and green. Those are completely natural - signs of microbial life. The cheese is still delicious after some trimming. 

If there’s  mold within the cheese, let us know. 

There’s a strong scent coming from the cheese, is ok to eat?

All cheeses vary in aromatic intensity. Some, like Mt. Tam, should have a delicate earthy and mushroomy aroma, whereas others, like Red Hawk, have a characteristically robust aroma ranging from pot roast to peanut shells.

Even cheeses with mild aromas can seem extreme when first presented to the room, so we suggest first giving the cheese 5 minutes to "breathe" unwrapped. If at this point, the cheese smells strongly of ammonia (glass cleaner) or bitterness, have a small taste. If the intense aroma has made its way inside to the flavor of the cheese, it won't hurt you or your guests, but is probably past prime and should be disposed in favor of a newer piece.

Where can I find nutritional information for your cheese?

We have all of Cowgirl Creamery cheese nutrition info either on the packaging or here on our website under About Us > Our Cheese.

Do you cheeses contain rennet? Are they vegetarian?

Most Cowgirl Creamery fresh and soft-ripened cheeses (Mt Tam, Red Hawk, Devil's Gulch, Pierce Pt, and Heart's Desire) are made with microbial rennet suitable for vegetarians. Our aged pressed cheeses (Hop Along & Wagon Wheel) are made with traditional non-vegetarian rennet.

Are your cheeses pasteurized or raw?

All Cowgirl Creamery cheeses are made with pasteurized organic milk and/or cream, meaning that it has been heat-treated (before culturing) in accordance with local and federal guidelines. Our best-selling Cowgirl Classic and Cowgirl Creamery Deluxe Collections contain only pasteurized, Cowgirl Creamery Cheeses.

For details on other artisan cheeses from our friends and neighbors, below is a list with some of our favorites with milk treatment (raw/pasteurized):

Estero Gold Reserve | Valley Ford Cheese & Creamery | Raw Cow's Milk

Ewereka | Central Coast Creamery | Pasteurized Sheep's Milk

Goat Gouda | Central Coast Creamery | Pasteurized Sheep's Milk

Fog Lights & Humboldt Fog | Cypress Grove | Pasteurized Goat's Milk

Mendonca | Bivalve Creamery | Raw Cow's Milk

Original Blue | Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co | Raw Cow's Milk

Toma| Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co | Pasteurized Cow's Milk

Paso Vino | Stepladder Creamery | Pasteurized Cow's Milk

Pepato | Bellwether Farms | Raw Sheep's Milk

Smoked Sea Salt & Rosemary Marinated Goat Cheese | CHEVOO | Pasteurized Goat's Milk

If you are pregnant, nursing, immunocompromised, or gifting to someone who is, we recommend following the advice of your medical professional before consuming raw milk cheeses.

Ordering

What are your holiday order deadlines?

Thanksgiving: place your order by Monday, 11/21 at noon to ship Tuesday

Christmas: place your order by Tuesday, 12/20 at noon to ship Wednesday

Can I ship to multiple addresses?

Yes! At checkout select “Ship to multiple addresses” and you’ll be able to send each collection to a different address. 

How do I add a gift message?

During the checkout, enter your note in the "gift message" and enter your desired greeting.

Where will the complimentary gift message go?

Your complimentary gift message will be printed onto the packing slip that is placed inside the box. 

Will prices be included on the packing slip?

Prices will not be included on the packing slip or inside of the package. Receipts will be sent to the email you entered during checkout. 

I’m sending my gift as a surprise. Are you going to tell them it’s coming?

We will only send tracking notifications to the email you provide to us during checkout. 

Can I order individual cheeses?

Unfortunately, we aren’t able to offer individual cheeses via our online store -- but you are able to add a single Mt Tam to just about any collection. From time to time, we have online specials with several pieces of the same cheese like our popular Tam Trio.  Sign up for our emails to be the first to know!

Can I create a custom assortment?

For our Online Cheese Catalog, unfortunately, we don’t have that option. But check out all of our current catalog - we’ve curated popular combinations that feature the best of Cowgirl for all kinds of cheese lovers.  

How do I remove an item from my cart?

On the View Cart page, you can click the "X" to the right of the product. To change the quantity of the item, simply use the up or down arrows next to the product you wish to change.

Payments & Promos

Which payment methods do you accept?

In our online shop, we accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, JCB, Diners Club, Elo, Shop Pay, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.

When will my card be charged?

All online cheese shop payments are processed at the time your order is placed. If you are ordering a cheese club subscription (not the pre-paid Club Gift option), the charge will go through once a month when we ship (until you cancel).

How do I use my Cowgirl Creamery gift card?

Our Online Cheese Shop’s digital gift cards can be redeemed online at any time. Enter the code during checkout. 

If you have a physical gift card for our Point Reyes Barn Shop & Cantina, please reach out to info@cowgirlcreamery.com for instructions on how to redeem online.

How do I sign up for special offers?

You can sign up with the link in our footer to receive the latest news and offers from Cowgirl Creamery. 

Where's my sign-up promo code?

After signing up, you’ll receive a welcome email from us. Click on the link to start shopping and your code will be automatically applied at checkout. (Please allow up to 15 minutes for your welcome email to arrive in your inbox.) 

How do I apply a promo code?

Promo codes must be added during checkout. There’s a limit of one (1) promo code per customers.

Shipping and Delivery

Is shipping included?

No. We use FedEx Overnight Shipping (to make sure your cheese gets to you as quickly as possible) which is an additional $15

Where do you ship?

We ship nationwide, across all 50 states within the U.S. Sorry, no deliveries to Canada. 

Can I ship to multiple addresses?

Yes! At checkout select “Ship to multiple addresses” and you’ll be able to send each item to a different address.

Do you ship to PO boxes?

We don’t ship to PO boxes (we use FedEx).

Why can’t I pick the exact shipping date?

Though we can't schedule an exact day, we can guarantee your order will arrive the Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday of your selected delivery week. 

When can I expect my package?

All orders will ship within the selected week for delivery on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday.

Where do you ship from?

We ship from our base in Petaluma, CA.

What do I do if my items are damaged or incorrect?

Please get in touch with our Customer Service team.

Order Tracking

When will I receive an order or shipping confirmation?

You will receive an order confirmation via email as soon as your order is placed. The shipping confirmation will come to you when we process your order for delivery.

How do I track my order?

You can check the status of your order by clicking on the tracking number located in your shipping confirmation email. 

Why did I receive multiple ship confirmations for one order?

Every cheese collection is shipped in its own box, with its own tracking number. 

I placed my order, can I still reschedule, edit, or cancel it?

Due to the speediness of our awesome warehouse team members; we are only able to offer the ability to make changes to your order within an hour of purchasing.

Exceptions can be requested if your item is scheduled for a later delivery week. 

Changes will need to be requested no later than two weeks before the scheduled delivery date.

What should I do if my package is missing?

Check the FedEx tracking number for a location or status. 

If your anticipated delivery date comes and goes, double-check that your shipping address was entered correctly when you placed the order.  Orders shipped with incorrect addresses are not eligible for reshipment or refunds.

Account, Orders, & Emails

How do I sign into my account if I forgot my username or password?

Click the "Forgot Password?" link underneath the log-in form, enter your address, and click send. 

You’ll receive an email with instructions on how to reset your password  with a temporary password. If you are unable to access your account by following these steps, create a new account or shop as a guest.

How do I change the address for an order?

Get in touch with us ASAP. If the order has already processed for shipping or is in transit, there may be an extra charge from FedEx. 

How do I change my default billing address?

When logged into your account, simply click "Addresses," and then click "Edit" under the first address listed.

How do I unsubscribe from your emails, catalogs, or text messages?

To unsubscribe from our emails, simply click "unsubscribe" in the footer of your most recent Cowgirl Creamery email. 

To unsubscribe from our text messages, reply "stop" to the most recent text message you received from Cowgirl Creamery. 

Do you offer in-store pickup?

We do not offer in-store pick up for our Online Cheese Shop collections.  

What are your store hours?

Our Point Reyes Barn Shop & Cantina is open Friday through Monday from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Can I use my online promo code or digital gift card at your shops?

Those can only be applied for our Online Cheese Shop catalog, not for anything in our Point Reyes Barn Shop & Cantina. 

Corporate Gifting

Can you help me with a large gift order for my company?

Absolutely! We have expert Group and Corporate Gifting Specialists ready to help you with your order. Send us an email to get started on a large order - orders@cowgirlcreamery.com

Does my Business Gifting qualify for a discount?

We offer volume-based discounts. For more information, reach out to one of our Group and Corporate Gifting Specialists.

General

Did you discontinue my favorite product?

Some of our cheeses are seasonal releases (like Heart's Desire) and some collections are available only at certain times of the year. We’re always working to offer the most appealing assortment of Cowgirl and other artisan cheeses and will vary up options. 

What is your Return Policy?

We can’t accept returns, but if there’s an issue get in touch with us. 

What is your Privacy Policy?