Larry Stone's Vision
After 35 years of observing the Eola-Amity Hills and co-creating a highly regarded winery there with Dominique Lafon, Master Sommelier Larry Stone purchased what he considered to be the finest site outside of Burgundy, a terroir capable of growing complex and vibrant Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in the New World.
A Collaborative Winemaking Journey
Though Larry intended to remain a farmer, Dominique Lafon wanted to work with him and produce what both realized could become a benchmark for the entire region and ultimately for a global market. When the land was cleared, Larry saw gravels in the upper blocks on the north side, where he intuited some special flavors may grow and produce a harmonious, aromatic wine of elegance and complexity.
The Birth of The Plow
He planted massale cuttings of PN777 from vines in the Russian River, which have created The Plow every year since the first harvest. In 2018, respected vineyard soil authority Pedro Parra named Lingua Franca Estate Vineyard (Larry Stone Vineyard) one of the top two sites in the region and offered to buy the first fruit from that very same block. Pedro's client was willing to pay nearly triple the Willamette Valley average for fruit from an established vineyard for the very first fruit from block 1 at LSV.
