Clover Sonoma jumps back into the North Bay ice cream business
The North Bay's top dairy brand says it has returned to the ice cream business after several years, bringing four flavors to local grocers' aisles.
Clover Sonoma announced it has this month begun selling a premium ice cream line in retail stores, with four flavors available in 32-ounce sizes: vanilla bean, mint chocolate chip, chocolate milk and milk and cookies.
The dairy said it will also return to offering ice cream samples at local fairs and festivals this summer, bringing back a former yearly tradition.
The news comes several years after the dairy's former CEO Ken Gott announced it would no longer offer ice cream, saying it was a practical decision in "a very crowded and competitive category dominated by large national brands with big budgets and broad supply networks."
The dairy said this week it is proud to start offering the ice cream line again, promoting its batch recipe of "keeping air to a minimum" during production, combined with 14 percent butterfat content.
"Clover Sonoma has always been about setting the bar for dairy," said current CEO John Coletta. "Our ice cream is no exception."
The company is also launching its California Cheese Collection in May, with a full assortment of cheese blocks, shreds and slices.
Asked why the brand returned to ice cream after ending the line for several years, Coletta told The Press Democrat "With dairy seeing a real resurgence, the timing felt right to re-enter the frozen category with a product that reflects what consumers are increasingly looking for: simple ingredients and true craftsmanship."
Petaluma Market store manager Brianna Gilby told The Press Democrat on April 14 the grocer is now carrying all four ice cream flavors. Oliver's Market corporate grocery specialty buyer, Shawn Reilly, said April 15 the four flavors are in stock at the company's Montecito location in Santa Rosa, "And by Friday, all four stores will have them." He said he expects the products "to do very well."
The announcement comes days before the Butter and Egg Days Festival in Petaluma, where the dairy has operated for more than 100 years. The festival, which Coletta said will include Clover Sonoma ice cream samples, will take place at noon April 18 at the Petaluma Historical Library and Museum and celebrates local farmers, entrepreneurs, agriculture and creators.
The ice cream used to be a mainstay for fans at the Sonoma-Marin and Sonoma County fairs, where the company's mascot, Clo the Cow, and staff used to hand out free ice cream samples. Coletta confirmed the brand will again offer ice cream samples all summer, including at the Petaluma Fair, Marin County Fair, and Sonoma County Fair and the San Diego County Fair in June.
The news completes Clover Sonoma's plan to have "a full presence across every corner of the dairy aisle," Coletta said: "Everyone deserves delicious, nutritious dairy at every occasion, and we're proud to be the brand that shows up for all of them."
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This story was originally published April 16, 2026 at 12:54 PM.