John Alban is a pioneering American winemaker and the founder of Alban Vineyards, widely regarded as the trailblazer of Rhône varietals in California. Established in the early 1980s in the Edna Valley, Alban Vineyards was the first winery and vineyard in the U.S. exclusively dedicated to growing and producing wines from Rhône grapes like Syrah, Grenache, and Viognier. With a background in enology and viticulture from UC Davis, John’s vision helped ignite the Rhône Ranger movement, reshaping the landscape of California wine. Known for his bold, expressive wines and meticulous vineyard practices, John continues to influence generations of winemakers through his commitment to terroir-driven, powerful, and age-worthy Rhône-style wines.