Lorna Kreutz is a native Fallbrook, California, close to San Diego. She earned her B.S. degree from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, in 2003 with a major in Environmental Horticulture Science and a minor in Agribusiness and Viticulture. While there, she received her first taste of the wine industry through a hospitality position at Firestone Vineyards in the Edna Valley. This piqued her interest in the wine industry, and after completing a viticulture internship, ultimately led her pursue a career in wine production.

Lorna’s first experience in winemaking was in 2005 at Longoria Wines in Sta. Rita Hills. She still remembers the first time she topped a barrel and her early fascination with the synergy of farming, science, and artistry that results in creating a great wine. Falling in love with the rolling vineyards of the Santa Rita Hills AVA, she knew her destiny was to be part of this highly acclaimed region for producing fruit for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. After completing a few vintages at Longoria as its assistant winemaker, Lorna continued her formal education by completing a B.S. degree in 2008 in Enology from California State University, Fresno, and gaining further experience by working in the winery there. She then accepted the position of enologist and assistant winemaker for Summerwood Winery and Niner Wine Estates in Paso Robles.

Because Pinot Noir was the first wine Lorna learned how to make, she returned to the Sta. Rita Hills in 2011, where she joined the Foley Wine Group as assistant winemaker for both Lincourt Vineyards and Foley Estate. She assumed the role of winemaker in 2014, excited to continue the tradition of producing high-quality wines from some of the best vineyards in the Sta. Rita Hills.

She and her husband Matt, who is also in the wine industry, their son and two rescue dogs live in Los Olivos. When Lorna is not in the winery, she enjoys good food, particularly Indian and Thai, hiking, and photography.