The Best of the Midwest at GEJA’S CAFÉ Lynfred Winemaker Dinner June 7, 2010

CHICAGO— On Monday, June 7th, Geja’s Café, 340 West Armitage, invites guests to learn the rich history and winemaking secrets of Lynfred, the oldest and largest, continuously-operating winery in Illinois. Beginning at 6:30 p.m., Geja’s will host a fondue dinner paired with fine wines from Lynfred. The Lynfred Winemaker Dinner, part of Geja’s Café’s ongoing popular 2010 Winemaker Dinner series, will be a special and informative event featuring Winemaker Andrés Basso from the evening’s featured winery to provide commentary and answer questions on the wines. To help set the scene, Geja’s live flamenco/classical guitarist will strum romantic music throughout the evening.

Lynfred produces over 25,000 cases per year and over 55 different award-winning varieties. That’s more varieties than any other winery in the United States. Andrés Basso does it all, from traditional varietals, modern blends to even fruit wines.

“They have something for everyone and every mood. I love this place!” states Kirby Matthews, Geja’s Café’s General Manager. “I just couldn’t make up my mind,” says Matthews while tasting the selection of remarkable wines for the dinner. “It was between the non-vintage sparkling rosé and the sparkling peach wine.” Geja’s Café will be serving both.

Paired with Geja’s famous Cheese Fondue will be Lynfred’s crisp and summery 2008 Pinot Grigio. Dinner will be accompanied by the meaty 2007 Zinfandel and last but very far from least is the Montmorency Cherry Wine with the dessert course. The only way to describe the pairing of the cherry wine with the flaming chocolate fondue is one must sit down to enjoy the pairing as it will make you weak in the knees.

The evenings begin with a 6:30 reception followed by dinner at 7:00 with a lively discussion of the evening’s wines led by a winery representative. The four-course dinner features Geja's house Salad, Cheese Fondue, Beef Tenderloin, Chicken & Jumbo Shrimp Entree, and Flaming Chocolate Fondue for dessert. Each course will be paired with the appropriate all-you-can-drink wine. Cost for each dinner is $50 per person, which includes the wines, dinner, tax, and gratuity. Reservations are required for the dinners, and interested parties are encouraged to act quickly as the popular Winemaker Dinners tend to sell out. For more information and to reserve, please call 773-281-9101.