After Krug-Cup-winning Master Sommelier Larry Stone won the prestigious Grand Prix de Sopexa title in Paris for Best Sommelier in the World in French Wines, he continued as a restaurateur and sommelier for the next 25 years, associated with Four Seasons Hotels, Charlie Trotter’s, and Rubicon. At Rubicon he joined forces with NY restaurateur Drew Nieporent, Robin Williams, Robert De Niro and Francis Ford Coppola. 

Larry has served as Trustee of the James Beard Foundation, on the board of the Court of Master Sommeliers and also on the board of the acclaimed Kronos Quartet. He has won numerous awards, including Best Wine Service from the James Beard Foundation twice, Who’s Who in American Food and Wine since 2000, multiple Grand Awards from the Wine Spectator for Rubicon and Charlie Trotters restaurants and mentored a host of young sommeliers, most famous of them being Rajat Parr. In addition, he has managed Rubicon Estate/Inglenook and Quintessa in Rutherford, Napa Valley and in 1996 created the concept for Evening Land Wines, based on a vineyard next to Lingua Franca Estate and the Santa Rita Hills. With everyone he teaches, Larry tries to instill a sense of service and a respect for all people. 

A Seattle native, Larry has had a long love affair with the Eola-Amity Hills. There he bought a highly coveted farm on an exceptional site in 2012. He planned and planted Lingua Franca, using clonal and massal selection of vines to ensure the finest quality material. In 2016 Lingua Franca winery was completed, with Dominique Lafon as the consulting winemaker and the brilliant young French winemaker, Thomas Savre. 

PARTICIPATING EVENTS:

Sunday Grand Tasting at The Farmhouse