Courtesy of Larry Stone
Curiosity Expert: Larry Stone
Master Sommelier, President Evening Land Vineyards
Larry Stone became the first American to win the prestigious Grand Prix de Sopexa for the title of the Best International Sommelier in French Wines in Paris over 20 years ago. After winning this momentous title within a few months of becoming America's 9th Master Sommelier, he continued as a restaurateur and sommelier, opening the Four Seasons Hotel in Chicago. He then became the General Manager and Sommelier of Charlie Trotter's Restaurant, helping to bring it to world prominence at the side of its talented chef/owner, for a while even serving as patissier.
Wishing to be closer to vineyards again, Larry relocated to San Francisco to open Rubicon Restaurant with New York restaurateur Drew Nieporent and Chef Traci des Jardins. Partners with them were Robert deNiro, Robin Williams and Francis Ford Coppola. There they established a restaurant with a wine program that attracted and trained some of the best young sommeliers in America. At the same time Larry started to make wines under the label of Sirita, named for his daughter.
In 2001, Larry became a board member of Niebaum-Coppola Estate Winery, and then in 2006 its General Manager. Larry has also served as a Trustee for the prestigious James Beard Foundation since 2005.
In 2010, Larry moved to an exciting winery project called Evening Land Vineyards, which focus on terroirs of fire, fog, fossil and fracture. It manages vineyards and makes wines in distinctive vineyards in Oregon, Burgundy, Sonoma and the Central Coast of California, guided by a winemaking team led by legendary winemaker Dominique Lafon, and including Christophe Vial, Sashi Moorman and Isabelle Meunier. Evening Land Vineyards is currently building a second facility in Meursault to house their winemaking operations there. In Oregon, they have brought renewed interest to the possibilities of Chardonnay and made exemplary Pinot Noir at the historical Seven Springs Vineyards.
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