The History of Our Business

Sterling Caviar, now the largest caviar producer in the United States, has had an illustrious history going back to 1983 when Stolt Sea Farm started sturgeon production in Wilton, CA. In 1985, Sierra Aquafarms started operations in Elverta, CA (current site of Sterling Caviar), and soon became the pioneer in water recirculating technology.  Soon, the two companies formed a joint venture and operated as Stolt Sea Farm California LLC with the goal of developing methods for producing caviar from sturgeon.

 

In 1988, the Elverta and Wilton farms became the first commercial sturgeon farming operation in California using sustainable farming practices and tank reconfigurations. Soon, the farms, stocked with world-famous white sturgeon, began producing caviar.  Several years later in 1993, and thanks to the ongoing collaboration with U.C. Davis and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Elverta and Wilton farms became the first in the world to produce commercial quantities of caviar from tank-raised sturgeon!

Sterling Caviar’s history as an institution in the caviar world is referenced in books such as “Caviar: a Global History" by Nichola Fletcher, ”The Philosopher Fish" by Richard Adams Carey and "Caviar, The Strange History and Uncertain Future of the World’s Most Coveted Delicacy" by Inga Saffron.

In 2006, Stolt Sea Farm California LLC changed its name to Sterling Caviar and continued to operate four farms in California: Elverta, Wilton, Elk Grove and Ione.  In October 2020, Sterling Caviar and its farms were acquired by its new owner, Eugene Fernandez, a New York entrepreneur/businessman intent on growing the aquaculture business while adhering to the work ethics and principles taught by his late father.  With a truly dedicated, supportive, and highly-knowledgeable Management team in place, the Company continues to be the leading producer of domestic caviar, serving the most discerning chefs, customers, and caviar connoisseurs both here in the U.S. and abroad.