Thursday, July 27, 2000 | 11:16 a.m.
Barrie Larvin, the creator of the extensive wine collection at the Rio hotel-casino in Las Vegas, has resigned to pursue other interests.
Larvin's resignation, which occurred three weeks ago, was confirmed by a Rio spokeswoman, though she said she could not comment on the reasons for Larvin's departure. Larvin said the parting was cordial.
"It's time for me to move forward," Larvin said. "I developed that fabulous cellar at the Rio, and it's time for me to move on to something else."
During his four years at the Rio, Larvin built what is perhaps Las Vegas' most famed wine collection at the Rio Wine Cellar. One of his most famed purchases included his 1997 purchase of a 200-year-old bottle of Madiera wine once owned by President Thomas Jefferson. The Rio paid $23,000 for the wine, then offered it to the public at New Year's Eve 1999 for $2,500 a pour.
Larvin said he will keep his home in Las Vegas. He has no immediate plans to join another property in town, he said, though he remains open to such a possibility in the future. In the meantime, Larvin said he's discussing ventures with several wineries.
"You'll probably see the name Barrie Larvin on a couple of wine products," he said.
The Wine Cellar will be headed by master sommelier Claudia Tyagi, who joined the Rio two years ago. Tyagi is one of only eight female master sommeliers in the world.
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