The Wine Huntress

Hi, I’m Susan Frasca, former proprietor, of Chicago’s Kinzie Chophouse for 21 years and current owner of The Wine Huntress.  During my ownership and under my guidance, Kinzie Chophouse received the Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator from 2002 to 2016.  Then in 2018, Kinzie was awarded the Best Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator

My love for wine started some time ago.  I decided to take my passion, hobby and love of wine and pursue it through a more formal means of study. I received Certification Level 1 from the American Court of Masters and passed through Level 1, 2 and 3 with the International Sommelier Guild.  I received my Intensive Viticulture and Vinification Certification from the American Sommelier Association.   I am a Certified Champagne Specialist from Comite Champagne.  Then to go even deeper both in knowledge and interest, I took courses through the Wine Scholar Guild and studied the regions of Piemonte, Burgundy, Alsace, Rhone Valley.   I am currently enrolled in WSG's Italian Wine Scholar and Champaign Master program.  

Traveling and attending food and wine shows, and researching regions throughout the United States and Europe, is what I love.  Wine Spectators’ New York Experience, PROWEIN in Dusseldorf, Vin Expo in Bordeaux and London’s Wine and Spirits Show have been some of my favorite stops along the way.  Each endeavor, including the New York, San Francisco, San Diego, South Beach, and Pebble Beach Food and Wine Festivals, and the International Pinot Noir Celebration in Oregon, offers new insight to the inner makings of tasting and collecting wine.  So when I was invited to attend, and ultimately became a successful bidder, at the Premier Napa Valley Trade Auction 2009, 2012, 2013 and 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2019 I knew all of it would ultimately be the building blocks for The Wine Huntress

I navigated through the major AVA’s in the United States and traveled through the Piedmont, Veneto, Friuli-Venezia, Tuscany, Umbria and Lazio regions of Italy.  I journeyed in and out of the chalk soils of Champagne, Loire, Burgundy, Bordeaux, Cognac, Rhone Valley and Provence regions of France. I traveled to Priorat, Rioja and the Ribera del Duero region of Spain and spent twwo weeks in Porto, Portugal.

I spent many years training my restaurant staff in wine service and education.  I also have held many wine seminars ranging from how to read a wine list, wine tasting techniques to understanding sparkling wines from all over the world and a full-range of Italian wine seminars.  I enjoy teaching all groups about the wonders of wine and food.  

So, please join me in a seminar of your choice.