Geoffrey B. Senior, 57; Wine Authority, Consultant and Partner in Specialty Shop

Geoffrey B. Senior, a leading figure in the Southern California wine community and a partner in the Hancock Park-area specialty store Larchmont Village Wine and Cheese, has died. He was 57.

Senior died Thursday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center of complications after heart surgery.

A well-known figure in wine circles for two decades, Senior also served as a consultant evaluating wine cellars and assisting in private purchasing of fine labels.

Born in Newton, Mass., Senior earned his undergraduate degree in urban design from the University of Massachusetts. He became interested in fine wines while studying architecture at the University of Washington. Switching his focus, he earned a bachelor’s degree in enology at UC Davis.

After graduating, Senior moved to Los Angeles to be sommelier and beverage manager at the California Club. He went on to work for a distributing company and as a manager of Wally’s, a noted wine store in Westwood.

He ran the wine and spirits departments at the now-defunct Jurgensen’s market in Pasadena before going into partnership with John Boccato at the Larchmont store in 1995.

Active in wine education, Senior was a member of the Society of Wine Educators and a former board member of the Los Angeles Chapter of the American Institute of Wine and Food. He was also a member of the tasting panel for Bon Appetit magazine.

He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Wendy Kneedler Senior; and his daughter, Brooke Kneedler Senior.

A celebration of his life will be held Feb. 2 at 4:30 p.m. at the Oaks School, housed in the Hollywood United Methodist Church, 6817 Franklin Ave.

Memorial donations may be made to the Brooke Kneedler Senior Educational Fund, c/o Larchmont Village Wine and Cheese, 223 N. Larchmont Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90004.