John Kerr Syrah 1988

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"John has the dubious honor of having been aboard the first helicopter shot down while flying over Cambodia. Thought to be dead on rescue, he managed a remarkable recovery and eventually rotated back to the United States. In recognition of these experiences John produces a wine called Cambodian Red, a Syrah blend of different vintages. A percentage of John's profits from the sale of this wine goes into a fund he has established for Vietnam veterans, a noble cause indeed. His service completed he returned home a decorated veteran and went to work at Brookside Winery in Ventura in 1972 . . . . John [later] moved to Monterey County where he began working for Chalone, then Jekel, eventually spending four years at Ventana Vineyards, where he was in charge of production. In 1984 they moved back to Santa Barbara County, where John became a consulting winemaker and [his wife] Joan became the lead archaeologist for the Forest Service in the Santa Barbara Ranger District. In addition to making his own wines, John has had a very successful career as an independent consulting winemaker. He had the pleasure of assisting Bryan Babcock with the first crush at Babcock Winery . . . . He also assisted Fred Brander in 1985 and 1986 and later worked at Byron. In early 1987 John made wines at Houtz Winery, which later became Beckmen Vineyards . . ."