Larry Stanton practiced medicine for 40 years, including five years in emergency rooms in Watts, California and 37 years in Dermatology and Dermatopathology. He moved to the Paso Robles area in 1977 and has been there ever since. Larry began farming/ranching in 1977 - barley, safflower, walnuts, almonds and cattle - but maintained a medical practice besides. In 1980, he returned to full-time practice until 2000. He has practiced pro bono medicine since 2000.
Cerro Prieto was planted in 1999 and he and his wife, Teresa, built a home above the vineyard. First commercial winemaking began in 2006 and the first bottling was in 2009 - a 2006 Merlot(winner of 2 International Gold Medals), and a Bordeaux/Rhone blend, 2006 Paso Bordo that is 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Syrah.(92 points, Wine Enthusiast)
Larry has many interests, including hunting, fishing, and all competitive sports. He has slowed down a bit after a number of knee surgeries. Larry has authored two books, Best Stories of Baja, and Arriba! Baja, humorous books written around the Baja campfire, both having to do with his many hunting and fishing trips. Currently, he is writing a medical malpractice novel, Trial of the White God, and another hunting book, The Black Pheasant.
Larry lives with his wife, best friend, and companion, Teresa, above their Cerro Prieto Vineyard, with their two dogs, Cazadora and Cartucho. He is committed to growing low-yield, premium grapes that have translated into superb premium wines. He has been an avid gardener, then farmer, grape grower, and finally vintner, going back over the last 60+ years. His favorite hobby is cooking wild game, which he especially enjoys with premium wines made from Cerro Prieto grapes. Most recently he has enjoyed wine blogging and has his own Web site, www.cerroprietovineyard.com . Growing the perfect grape has been achieved. Making the perfect wine is not far behind, and early results show that Cerro Prieto is on the right track.
Teresa Stanton is a Respiratory Care and 20 years Dermatology Practitioner. She has helped build and develop the Cerro Prieto vineyard, designed and created most of the interior decorating of their home, is a marvelous cook, and has been a true partner in the success of Cerro Prieto Vineyard. She has planted vines, helped with grafting, done gopher patrols, helped clear the land and burn brush (including huge piles of poison oak), put over 2500 grape shelters on new seedlings, helped with harvests, and has one of our best producing hills named after her: Cerro Teresa.
Teresa loves children and is a mentor to several young women and girls. She has been a volunteer in multiple children’s venues for years. She is a definite people person and is liked by all she meets. Teresa has travelled extensively throughout the world and has a particular fondness for the ocean. She has been instrumental in getting the marketing of Cerro Prieto wines on track, plus doing all the millions of things that go with running and managing a vineyard.
Although Teresa has many hobbies, her favorites, are gardening and floral design. Like her mother, she has an inborn knack for knowing how to take run of the mill, simple every day flowers and create spectacular floral displays. She has helped lay out the garden designs around the house, and always seems to have a garden project going. Most of the flowers in her arrangements are from ones she has grown. Teresa loves walks in the vineyard with her husband and two dogs, Caza and Tucho. She is keenly interested in nature and is a strong proponent of conservation and going green. Her desire to stay in good physical condition, exercising extensively and working in the vineyard, has kept her youthful. She is frequently mistaken for someone 10 years younger. Teresa is a lovely woman on the outside but prettier yet on the inside. Her strongest attributes are kindness, insight, and a work ethic that is second to none.
