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

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

Jan 29, 20152 min read

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.

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Article written by:

Theresa Delaney

Theresa Delaney

More about Theresa
Theresa is a copywriter, food explorer and pursuer of all things creative. Find her at theresadelaney.com.

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Congratulations to @Chefjosetucson on another incredible milestone!🎉

Read @Jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com

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🎉 Week 5 Winners
• Libby: $50 North Italia gift card
• Keely: America’s Best Mexican Food Festival tickets
• arts_primacy_2c: 4 Cool Summer Nights passes
• Donita3000: $20 Ghini’s French Caffe gift card
• Nancy & Gabriella: $100 Visa gift cards

Italian Week Deal: @reneestucson is offering buy one, get one 50% off (equal or lesser value) for dine-in or takeout. Just mention you’re a Tucson Foodie fan. Exclusions apply.

🏆 This Week’s Prizes
• $50 @fentonellispizzeria gift card
• $100 Visa gift card
• $75 @carusositalian gift card
• $20 @ghinisfrenchcaffe gift card
• $50 @miramontetucson gift card
• $50 @localetucson gift card
• @desertmuseum passes 

More details in bio!Italian Week starts today and runs through July 19 as part of 12 Weeks of Foodie Summer!🍝 Support Tucson’s classic and modern Italian restaurants, then upload your receipt at summer.tucsonfoodie.com for a chance to win weekly prizes and the grand prize at the end of August. 🎉 Week 5 Winners • Libby: $50 North Italia gift card • Keely: America’s Best Mexican Food Festival tickets • arts_primacy_2c: 4 Cool Summer Nights passes • Donita3000: $20 Ghini’s French Caffe gift card • Nancy & Gabriella: $100 Visa gift cards Italian Week Deal: @reneestucson is offering buy one, get one 50% off (equal or lesser value) for dine-in or takeout. Just mention you’re a Tucson Foodie fan. Exclusions apply. 🏆 This Week’s Prizes • $50 @fentonellispizzeria gift card • $100 Visa gift card • $75 @carusositalian gift card • $20 @ghinisfrenchcaffe gift card • $50 @miramontetucson gift card • $50 @localetucson gift card • @desertmuseum passes More details in bio!The Mercado District is one of Tucson’s best places to eat, drink, shop, and stroll, all in one stop.🐶❤️

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MERCADO SAN AGUSTÍN:
@agustinkitchen 
@seiskitchen 
@prestacoffee 
@laestrella_tucson 
@dolcepastellocakes 
@zumitosjuicebar 
@santacruzriverfm 

MSA ANNEX:
@decibelcoffeeworks 
@kukai___ 
@bosburger__ 
@hidden_hearth 
@rolliestucson 
@westbound_tapandbottle 

THE MONIER:
@wholeslvcepizza 
@81barbersofficial 

Share your favorite stops with us!
More details on Tucsonfoodie.com 

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Although El Conquistador licenses the Hilton brand, it’s owned and operated by a local company. The culinary team sources much of its meat and produce from Arizona. 

Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or just looking for an incredible dinner with Catalina Mountain views, this spot is worth adding to your list. 🌵🌞 

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From July 6 through July 12, upload your receipt from ANY local business at summer.tucsonfoodie.com for a chance to win weekly prizes and earn entries toward the 12 Weeks of Foodie Summer grand prize drawing at the end of August. 🔗 in bio. 

ANY LOCAL SPOT COUNTS. 

WEEK 6 WINNERS
Here are the winners from Happy Hour Week:
* Libby wins a $50 gift card to North Italia
* Keely wins a ticket to America’s Best Mexican Food Festival
* arts_primacy_2c wins a four-pack of passes to Cool Summer Nights at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
* donita3000 wins a $20 gift card to Ghini’s French Caffe
* Nancy wins a $100 Visa gift card
* Gabriella wins a $100 Visa gift card 

PRIZES
This week’s prize pool includes:
* Salsa, Taco, and Tequila Challenge tickets
* $100 Visa gift card
* @eljefecatcafe pass
* $20 @ghinisfrenchcaffe 
* @desertmuseum passes

Presenting sponsor: @visittucson
Presented by: @bbb_so_az • @510southtucson • @azwinecollectiveHow many receipts have you sent in for NEW-TO-ME week?💛 From July 6 through July 12, upload your receipt from ANY local business at summer.tucsonfoodie.com for a chance to win weekly prizes and earn entries toward the 12 Weeks of Foodie Summer grand prize drawing at the end of August. 🔗 in bio. ANY LOCAL SPOT COUNTS. WEEK 6 WINNERS Here are the winners from Happy Hour Week: * Libby wins a $50 gift card to North Italia * Keely wins a ticket to America’s Best Mexican Food Festival * arts_primacy_2c wins a four-pack of passes to Cool Summer Nights at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum * donita3000 wins a $20 gift card to Ghini’s French Caffe * Nancy wins a $100 Visa gift card * Gabriella wins a $100 Visa gift card PRIZES This week’s prize pool includes: * Salsa, Taco, and Tequila Challenge tickets * $100 Visa gift card * @eljefecatcafe pass * $20 @ghinisfrenchcaffe * @desertmuseum passes Presenting sponsor: @visittucson Presented by: @bbb_so_az • @510southtucson • @azwinecollective

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