Meet Our Founder 

In his 20s, John moves to Seattle and discovers an abundance of excellent up-and-coming Washington wines. While in Washington, he meets Kim, whom he later marries. They become wine-loving soul mates.

John and Kim spend six weeks in France, Spain, and Portugal exploring the cultures, cuisine, and wines of these famous wine-producing countries.

For 11 years, John volunteers at Betz Family winery and learns all facets of wine production, from assisting during harvest crush to bottling and pouring at wine events to socializing with like-minded wine enthusiasts. While there, he befriends Betz’s assistant winemaker, Kathryn House, who later founds House of Wine in Boise.

Wanting to take his love for wine even further, John enrolls in the Wine and Spirits Education Trust.

John earns his Wine and Spirits Education Trust Advanced Level 3 certification with honors.

John and Kim travel to Italy for two and a half weeks. They focus on central Italy, spending time in Rome, Florence, and the greater Tuscany region while taking in the Tuscan lifestyle and visiting many world-class wineries.

John and Kim travel to Paris to explore their love of Champagne and sparkling wines. They go on to spend four days in the Champagne area, immersed in the unique beauty and terroir of the world’s best sparkling wine region.

John enrolls in the Wine Scholar Guild, one of the most respected wine education organizations in the world.

John and his family relocate to the Treasure Valley. John reconnects with Kathryn House and she invites him to assist as an educator at House of Wine.

John completes his education by becoming an Italian, Spanish, and French Wine Scholar, graduating with honors in all three. He has an epiphany: Wine education is his true passion and focus.

John takes over the House of Wine space on Main Street in Boise from his friend Kathryn. He founds Cellar Dreams and begins to pursue his own dreams of inspiring a love of wine in others.

John and Kim spend three weeks in Italy deep diving into the culture, wines, and cuisine of Tuscany, Bolgheri, and Franciacorta.

John and Kim spend a week in Burgundy on an intensive wine study tour with twelve other wine professionals exploring the terroir, wines, and cuisine of Burgundy.