A farm-to-holiday-table dinner at Windrose Farm in Paso Robles

Barbara and Bill Spencer run Windrose Farm, the produce from which is a staple at the Wednesday farmers market in Santa Monica and in prominent restaurant kitchens. Here they pause on the porch of their Paso Robles ranch house. Bonnie the dog also takes it easy.

Barbara and Bill Spencer run Windrose Farm, the produce from which is a staple at the Wednesday farmers market in Santa Monica and in prominent restaurant kitchens. Here they pause on the porch of their Paso Robles ranch house. Bonnie the dog also takes it easy.

(Mariah Tauger / For The Times)

Dec. 16, 2016 9:05 AM PT

Windrose farm-to-holiday-table dinner

The farm stand on-site at Windrose Farm in Paso Robles.

(Mariah Tauger / For The Times)

Windrose farm-to-holiday-table dinner

A farm-fresh holiday meal is set out at Windrose: squash and potato gratin, foreground, lamb chops, sourdough bread and salad.

(Mariah Tauger / For The Times)

Windrose farm-to-holiday-table dinner

Barbara Spencer picks chard to be used in a salad.

(Mariah Tauger / For The Times)

Windrose farm-to-holiday-table dinner

Freshly picked chard and previously harvested apples are just a few of the ingredients that Barbara and Bill Spencer will use in their holiday dinner.

(Mariah Tauger / For The Times)

Lamb chops just out of the oven at Windrose Farm.

Lamb chops just out of the oven at Windrose Farm. (Mariah Tauger / For The Times )

Windrose farm-to-holiday-table dinner

A fresh-picked salad and homemade vinaigrette at Windrose Farm.

(Mariah Tauger / For The Times)

Windrose farm-to-holiday-table dinner

A 1920s Magic Chef stove has pride of place in the Spencers’ Windrose Farm kitchen.

(Mariah Tauger / For The Times)

Windrose farm-to-holiday-table dinner

Bill Spencer and his wife, Barbara, bought their land in Paso Robles in 1990. Nowadays, Windrose Farm is synonymous with fresh produce.

(Mariah Tauger / For The Times)

Windrose farm-to-holiday-table dinner

A Windrose Farm employee harvests leafy spigarello.

(Mariah Tauger / For The Times)

Windrose farm-to-holiday-table dinner

Barbara and Bill Spencer prepare a meal in their ranch house kitchen.

(Mariah Tauger / For The Times)

Windrose farm-to-holiday-table dinner

Bill Spencer gathers herbs at Windrose Farm.

(Mariah Tauger / For The Times)

Windrose farm-to-holiday-table dinner

Sheep at Windrose Farm in Paso Robles.

(Mariah Tauger / For The Times)

Windrose farm-to-holiday-table dinner

Bill Spencer coats lamb chops with herbs as he prepares them for the skillet.

(Mariah Tauger / For The Times)

Windrose farm-to-holiday-table dinner

A 1920s stove in the Spencers’ kitchen.

(Mariah Tauger / For The Times)

Windrose farm-to-holiday-table dinner

Barbara Spencer slices farm-fresh squash for use in a gratin.

(Mariah Tauger / For The Times)

Homemade sourdough bread and a goat cheese spread made with smoked vegetables.

Homemade sourdough bread and a goat cheese spread made with smoked vegetables. (Mariah Tauger / For The Times )

Windrose farm-to-holiday-table dinner

Bill Spencer checks a batch of tomatoes fresh from his smoker at Windrose Farm.

(Mariah Tauger / For The Times)

Windrose farm-to-holiday-table dinner

Sheep in the Spencers’ Windrose Farm flock.

(Mariah Tauger / For The Times)

More From the Los Angeles Times

Most Read in Food