North Bay Producers Win Big at 2026 Good Food Awards

Sonoma, Napa and Marin producers earned national honors in the 2026 Good Food Awards, with winning products including cheese, cider, coffee, pasta, olive oil and preserves.


By Heather Irwin

On June 2, the Specialty Food Association announced the winners of the 2026 Good Food Awards, honoring producers whose products excel in taste, craftsmanship and responsible sourcing.

Now in its 16th year, the awards recognize artisan food and beverage makers committed to sustainable production, ethical business practices and high-quality ingredients. More than 1,200 products from across the United States were entered this year. After an initial round of judging narrowed the field to 349 finalists, judges selected 242 winners.

Producers in Sonoma, Napa and Marin counties were well represented among this year’s honorees, earning awards for products ranging from cheese and cured meats to cider, olive oil, coffee and pasta.

Michele Querin adds Bellwether Farms ricotta onto a “Giuseppe” pizza at the Gabacool Provisions pop-up in Santa Rosa on Thursday, January 30, 2025. (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat)
Michele Querin adds Bellwether Farms ricotta onto a “Giuseppe” pizza at a Gabacool Provisions pop-up in Santa Rosa on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025. (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat)
Sonoma Herb Sheep Cheese from Bellwether Farms won a Good Food award
Sonoma Herb Sheep Cheese from Bellwether Farms in Petaluma. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)

Sonoma County

Basket Ricotta

Bellwether Farms, Petaluma

Sheep Cheese-Sonoma Herb

Bellwether Farms, Petaluma

Culatta

Canteen Meats, Petaluma

1870

Ethic Cider, Sebastopol

Ethic Cider won a Good Food Award
A variety of apple ciders produced by Ethic Cider in Sebastopol. (Beth Schlanker/The Press Democrat)
Brooke Hazen grows 70 acres of olives at Gold Ridge Organic Farms in west Sonoma County. New flavored varietals of Meyer Lemon and Mandarin-Kumquat, front have been added to traditional milled oils. Photo taken on Thursday, October 28, 2021. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
A variety of olive oils from Gold Ridge Organic Farms in Sebastopol. Photo taken on Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

Tuscan Blend Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Gold Ridge Organic Farms, Sebastopol

Meyer Lemon Olive Oil

Gold Ridge Organic Farms, Sebastopol

Apple Cider Balsamic Vinegar

Gold Ridge Organic Farms, Sebastopol

Strawberry Snap Pea shrub

Land + Local, Healdsburg

Chef Kim LaVere's elderflower spritz is a delicately flavored sparkling cocktail that includes an elderflower-mint syrup and either sparkling water or sparkling white wine. (Eileen Roche / Sonoma Magazine)
Chef Kim LaVere crafts shrubs, mixers and syrups for her Land + Local cocktail company. (Eileen Roche / Sonoma Magazine)
A variety of award-winning olive oils, plus an array of pantry foods, from McEvoy Ranch in Petaluma.
A variety of award-winning olive oils, plus an array of pantry goods, from McEvoy Ranch in Petaluma. (McEvoy Ranch)

Organic Chili Lime Olive Oil 2025 Harvest

McEvoy Ranch, Petaluma

Napa County

Organic Savory Onion Jam

Clif Family Winery & Farm, St. Helena

A cheese plate from Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co. with Point Reyes Toma, aged Gouda, salami, pimento cheese, Point Reyes Bay Blue and Original Blue cheeses. (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat)
A cheese plate from Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co. with Point Reyes Toma, aged Gouda, salami, pimento cheese, Point Reyes Bay Blue and Original Blue cheeses. (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat)

Marin County

Antica Collection-Hourani Flour Fazzoletti

Mill Valley Pasta Co., San Rafael

Colombia Las Flores Thermal Shock Pink Bourbon

Equator Coffees, San Rafael

Point Reyes Fennel Blue

Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese, Point Reyes Station