Blu, A Wine & Cheese Stop Hosts One Year Anniversary With Local Food Artisans

Celebrate a year of enjoying Blu, A Wine & Cheese Stop in Tucson with a Maker Fair at Mercado San Agustin on January 31 from 1 to 4 pm. The Fair is intended to highlight and honor the local artisans that make Blu possible.

Tana Fryer launched Blu in October of 2012 with a focus on private events and catering, providing specialty cheese to local restaurants, and selling at the Santa Cruz Farmers Market. Fryer launched the brick and mortar location in January of last year.

“We realized that what we are trying to do – bringing cut-to-order artisanal cheese to the desert – is kind of a new thing,” Fryer said. “I wasn’t even sure I could get the products I wanted on a regular basis and I knew I would have to train cheesemongers, so I spent a year developing relationships with the best cheesemakers in Arizona and across the US and putting a great team together.”

Prior to opening the Mercado San Agustin location, Fryer partnered with Tom & Nancy Alfonso of Alfonso Gourmet Olive Oil and Balsamic. Blu and Alfonsos still offer special events and classes together.

“I am so thankful for the support Tucson has given us during this first amazing year,” said Fryer. “But, Blu wouldn’t even exist if it were not for the artisans who are responsible for these unique products. I know the names of the people who make most of the things on these shelves. They are real people, making things by hand, taking care of their animals and the land. We couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate our first year than by honoring them.”

The Maker Fair will feature “meet the maker” opportunities and tastings from the following vendors:

• Fiore Di Capra Dairy and Creamery
• David Benton from Tucson Honey Company
• MollyJo Mow from Fiscalini Farmstead Cheese
• Tom Alfonso from Alfonso Gourmet Olive Oil
• Mike Mallozzi from Borderlands Brewing Company
• Judy Esbit from Bird’s Nest Baking Company
• Collin Liebing from Quench Fine Wines (who will be featuring wines from popular Arizona wineries, including Sand Reckoner, Dos Cabezas and Arizona Stronghold)

In addition to the Maker Fair, there will be in-store specials on bottles of wine and “staff favorites” will be offered all day from 9am to 9 pm. The Cochise County All-Stars will perform live in the courtyard from 6 to 9pm.

Visit www.BluArizona.com for more information.