John Riddick has been guiding guests through remarkable wine experiences at Circa 1886 since 2020, drawing from years in the industry to make each encounter memorable. Recently, he sat down to share his journey, passion, and philosophy on wine—along with a few tips for savoring wine in new and exciting ways. His approach combines deep knowledge with a welcoming, unpretentious style that makes exploring wine approachable for all.

A: I've been in the wine business in nearly every role since I was around 20. I started at a restaurant called Magnolia’s, and one night, something memorable happened. I had a couple come in celebrating their anniversary, and they were having a great time. They ordered a bottle of wine but mentioned we also had their favorite wine on our list, a very expensive bottle of Australian Shiraz. Later, they ordered their favorite bottle but couldn’t finish it, so they shared a glass with me. I had no idea that wine could taste that good, and it sparked a passion and curiosity about wine that’s only grown over the years. Since then, I’ve been on a journey to learn everything I can about what goes into making each bottle.