Born in San Francisco and raised in Napa Valley, John Freeman was destined to be in the wine industry. John started in the wine industry in 1990 at Franciscan Vineyards as a bottling line laborer and worked a total of seven harvests there. His titles at Franciscan Vineyards included shift supervisor, assistant cellar master, safety supervisor and cellar master.

In 1997, John moved to Miner Family as the cellar master. Miner Family had eighteen custom crush clients with their own winemakers. There, he learned how to manipulate fruits to reach different styles from cap managements, barrel programs and various adjustments.

Charmed by the Walla Walla Valley, John decided to move to Washington in 2002. He started at Waterbrook Winery in January 2003 as assistant winemaker and was promoted to winemaker in January 2005.

John wholeheartedly believes in Waterbrook's mission to produce premium, value wines for all to enjoy. From vine to bottle, he and his team carefully manage every step of the winemaking process to ensure the overall complexity, balance and consistent quality for which Waterbrook wines are best known.

John's favorite things about winemaking are expansive. He is passionate about working with many different growers and discovering ways to improve the vineyards each year. He enjoys experimenting in the winery to find new ways of improving quality. The opportunity to work with like-minded people every day, bring his dog to work with him and work in the vineyards in the summer make his job that much more enjoyable.

Married with two daughters, John and his family enjoy the wonderful Walla Walla community (great outdoor activities, impressive school system and better traffic). Always wearing a smile and continually the optimist, he still can't believe he gets paid to do what he does.