Envisioning a world where refined taste harmonizes seamlessly with sustainability, our vision is to lead the luxury chocolate industry by crafting healthier, and often plant-based artisanal creations that delight the senses while nurturing our bodies, souls, and the planet. Through this commitment we aspire to lead a shift in our industry, towards mindful enjoyment and responsible indulgence.
At earth & sky chocolates we are inspired by the abundance of local purveyors and amazing ingredients found just outside our door. From local wildflower honey and fruit jams, to locally distilled bourbon-whiskey and beer brewed just minutes from our kitchen, we strive to honor the bounty available to us, and to bring the spirit of the Napa Valley wine country to everything we make.
Our attention to detail also makes it possible to customize bonbons to pair perfectly with wines, spirits, beer or for a multitude of other applications.
We are proud and humbled to be able to share our love of fine chocolates and confections with our neighbors, and visitors to the Napa Valley
Christian Parks - Founder/Head Chocolatier
Chef Parks first found his love of pastry as a young child baking alongside his mother and grandmother, and after working as a pastry chef while finishing a degree in real estate finance, Christian decided to take the leap and make his passion for the pastry arts a vocation. In 2004 he attended and graduated from the renowned French Pastry School in Chicago where he studied under world champion pastry chefs Jacquy Pfeiffer and Sebastien Canonne, MOF.
After a stage with “Mr. Chocolate” Jean-Pierre Wybauw, a handful of master classes with chocolatiers and pastry chefs like Franck Kestener, MOF and Emmanul Ryon, MOF, and a stint with Mars/Masterfoods, Inc. where he helped to open a multitude of chocolate lounges across the greater Chicago area, he founded Earth&Sky Chocolates in 2006.
Over the past 17 years, he has refined his technique and the concept behind his products to bring his customers chocolates and confections with a refined European sensibility and an American flavor profile, with a global twist.
Robbie Schmidt - Chief Chocolate Officer
Robbie is co-operator at Earth & Sky. Over 25 years, she built her career in publishing and event management and as of recent, has worked closely with Chef Christian Parks on business management and product development for Earth & Sky Chocolates. Adding Robbie to the team as both a chocolatier and a driver of business development is the latest in an exciting list of growth strategies for the business.
“I can’t quite express how enthusiastic I am to be able to help carry-on the craft of producing bonbons of the highest quality that my good friend Chris practices. I have been a longtime fan of the artistic beauty, coupled with melt in your mouth texture in our product line, and am passionate to expand that line to include a variety of new plant-based flavors. Simply put, I feel like Juliette Binoche in Chocolat" - Robbie