Cerro Prieto Vineyard and Cellars Owner Shifts Focus After Dangerous Encounters in Mexico

Larry Stanton, a doctor-turned-winemaker, has traded his hunting and fishing trips to Mexico for tending to his award-winning vines in California.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Larry Stanton, the owner and winemaker of Cerro Prieto Vineyard and Cellars in San Luis Obispo, California, has had to abandon his beloved hunting and fishing trips to Mexico's Cerro Prieto geothermal field after two harrowing encounters with what he calls "ninja-suited narco-terrorists." Stanton, who was previously a doctor for 40 years, has now poured his passion into growing grapes and making wine, with his vineyard becoming one of the most photographed in the county.

Why it matters

Stanton's story highlights the challenges that small, independent winemakers face in balancing their craft with external factors beyond their control, such as safety concerns and natural disasters. His shift away from Mexico also reflects the broader security issues that have plagued parts of the country in recent years, forcing some Americans to reconsider traveling there.

The details

Stanton started growing grapes in 1999 and began commercial winemaking in 2006. His vineyard is located on a steep, limestone-rich hillside that required extensive manual labor and jackhammers to cultivate. Despite the challenging terrain, the vines thrived, producing award-winning wines. Stanton has also implemented sustainable practices, such as using cover crops, mulching prunings, and reducing pesticide and fertilizer use.

  • Stanton began growing grapes in 1999.
  • Stanton started commercial winemaking in 2006.
  • Stanton's first official bottling was in 2025.

The players

Larry Stanton

The owner and winemaker of Cerro Prieto Vineyard and Cellars, who previously worked as a doctor for 40 years and began farming and ranching in 1977 before transitioning to grape growing and winemaking.

Cerro Prieto Vineyard and Cellars

A winery located in San Luis Obispo, California, known for its award-winning wines and steep, limestone-rich hillside vineyards.

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What they’re saying

“There was a time that knowing a little Spanish might have spared you in a traffic stop by the police. It's really gotten bad there now since the drug guys have taken over.”

— Larry Stanton, Owner and Winemaker (nowandzin.com)

“We've got oak trees on the property that just soak up the nutrients, so we've had to plant the vines as far away from them as possible. Even so, the two rows nearest the trees ripen before the rest.”

— Larry Stanton, Owner and Winemaker (nowandzin.com)

What’s next

Stanton plans to release his 2007 Paso Bordo blend, a combination of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, on September 30, 2026, in time for the Savor the Central Coast event.

The takeaway

Stanton's story highlights the resilience and adaptability of small, independent winemakers who must navigate not only the challenges of growing grapes in difficult terrain, but also external factors like safety concerns and natural disasters. Despite these obstacles, Stanton has found success in producing award-winning wines that reflect his passion for the craft.