Craig Case, host of The Inn Crowd, and Chef Michael Hutchings welcomes Lorna Kreutz to the kitchen at the Crossroads Estate in the picturesque Santa Ynez Valley. Foley Family Wines is our winery sponsor and provides wines from their vast portfolio. Lorna is the winemaker at the Lincourt Winery, located in the Santa Ynez Valley.
From the Lincourt web page, "Lorna grew up in Fallbrook, California near San Diego. In 2003, she received a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Horticulture Science with a Minor in Agribusiness and Viticulture from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. While attending school, she received her first taste of the wine industry through a hospitality position in Edna Valley and was immediately intrigued by the business and ultimately decided to shift into wine production after completing a viticulture internship.
Lorna obtained her start in wine production from Longoria Wines in Sta. Rita Hills in 2005. She can still remember the first time she topped a barrel and her early fascination with the synergy of farming, science and artistry that goes into creating a great wine. She also fell in love with the rolling vineyards of the Santa Rita Hills AVA, and knew she wanted to be part of this highly acclaimed Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wine region. After a few vintages at Longoria as Assistant Winemaker, Lorna decided to return to school to pursue a Bachelor of Science Degree in Enology from California State University Fresno. While in Fresno, she worked in production at Fresno State Winery, receiving her degree in 2008. She then moved on to become Enologist and Assistant Winemaker for Summerwood Winery and Niner Wine Estates in Paso Robles.
With Pinot Noir as her first oenophilic love, as it was the first wine she learned how to make, Lorna headed back to her home base in Sta. Rita Hills, in 2011, where she joined the Foley Wine Group as Assistant Winemaker for both Lincourt Vineyards and Foley Estate. Presently, Lorna remains happy to be part of a winemaking team comprised of hard working, generous, and fun individuals. Now in the role of Winemaker, she is excited to continue the tradition of producing high quality wines produced from some of the best vineyards in Sta. Rita Hills."
The dinner started with a salad featuring a local smoked salmon flanked by quail eggs and topped with arugula and potato "croutons." The entree highlights a rack of lamb and and Italian inspired porcini sauce and a fancy baked potato called hasselback. The dessert was a frozen Amaretto Soufflé and almond shortbread cookies. It was a please to have Lorna there to give a winemakers view of food paring, wine production and viticulture.
Put on your apron, grab your food processor and hang on to your whisk. I'll provide the recipes, the rest is up to you. See you in the kitchen.
Tastefully,
Chef Michael Hutchings
All recipes copyright 2015 Michael Hutchings, All Rights Reserved
Photo Credits William Conlin YTS Video Productions, unless otherwise noted.
