John has always had an interest in wine and started out making small amounts in his apartment for personal consumption. As his batches got bigger, he realized he and his pals couldn’t possibly drink all the wine he was making and maybe he should start selling it. That meant applying his GI bill to getting an education in wine! John took a hands-on approach, working various positions with a lot of wineries throughout California and the Pacific Northwest. He eventually established Lujon Wine Cellars and began producing his highly rated wines in Yamhill County, the center of the wine industry in his home state of Oregon. He continues to make excellent wines while not going broke.
John Derthick:
