Rutland resident John entered the wine trade in the 1990s, and has worked with some of its most thoughtful characters, including Paul Draper, Charles Rousseau, Alvaro Espinosa and Francois Billecart.

John became an MW in 1999, picking up various prizes along the way, including the Bollinger Tasting Medal.

He has written and lectured on wine and terroir, and is the author of several scholarly papers.