Spanish Cheeses Showcase Gastronomic Potential at San Diego Fair

European cheeses of Spanish origin highlighted at prestigious Winter Fancy Food Show

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Spanish cheese producers showcased a variety of their finest cheeses, including PDO Arzúa-Ulloa, PDO Murcia al Vino, Queso Ibérico, PDO Manchego, and more, at the Winter Fancy Food Show in San Diego. The event, organized by the Specialty Food Association, attracted over 1,000 exhibitors from 36 countries and provided an opportunity for Spanish cheesemakers to promote their products and connect with potential buyers and distributors in the North American market.

Why it matters

The participation of Spanish cheese producers in prestigious international food fairs like the Winter Fancy Food Show is a key part of their strategy to increase the visibility and expand the reach of their high-quality, artisanal cheeses in the lucrative North American market, which is a priority for the EU-backed "Cheestories" promotional campaign.

The details

At the fair, cheese expert Erin T. Connolly guided visitors through tastings of the various Spanish cheeses, which included protected designation of origin (PDO) and protected geographical indication (PGI) products. The Spanish cheese producers were able to showcase the quality, excellence, and unique characteristics of their products to thousands of attendees, including key decision-makers from the retail, wholesale, and catering sectors.

  • The Winter Fancy Food Show took place from January 11 to 13, 2026 in San Diego, California.
  • The "Cheestories" promotional campaign ran from March 2023 to February 2026.

The players

InLac

The organization that promoted the "Discover the European Cheestories with cheeses from Spain" campaign at the Winter Fancy Food Show, with the support of the European Union.

Nuria María Arribas

The managing director of InLac, who highlighted the sector's commitment to the Winter Fancy Food Show and the potential of trade fairs to promote the internationalization of Spanish cheeses.

Erin T. Connolly

The cheese expert who guided visitors through tastings of the various Spanish cheeses at the Winter Fancy Food Show.

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What they’re saying

“Our cheeses have made a difference at the most important professional trade fair for gourmet products and specialties on the West Coast of the USA. We took advantage of these three days intensely to explore trends in the North American market, present products and establish a direct connection with potential buyers, distributors and specialized press.”

— Nuria María Arribas, Managing Director, InLac

The takeaway

The successful showcase of Spanish cheeses at the prestigious Winter Fancy Food Show demonstrates the growing international recognition and demand for high-quality, artisanal European cheese products, particularly in the lucrative North American market, which is a key focus for Spanish cheesemakers and the EU-backed "Cheestories" promotional campaign.