Johnson C. Ho, Founder & President

Acclaimed Expertise

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Born in Taiwan, Johnson joined his Diplomat father in Germany in the 1960s. Attending the elite Jesuit Prep school, Aloisiuskolleg, in Bonn, he immersed himself in Greco-Roman history, philosophy and literature as well as modern European developments and languages.

His love of wines was kindled at an early age at a tasting festival in the Mosel, when he was first exposed to the glory of Riesling. While growing up, he traveled throughout Western Europe where wines were routinely served with meals. To this day, his annual tours to Europe keep his knowledge refreshed.

Johnson came to the U.S. in 1968 to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology at Westminster College in Missouri, famous as the venue of Winston Churchill’s Iron Curtain speech. That scientific schooling provided the solid technical foundation to his expertise in oenology.

In 1977, he turned his growing wine curiosity into a profession. He joined the wine service team at the American Restaurant in Kansas City where, during his tenure as a Sommelier, it received the first Mobil Five Star rating in Missouri’s history.

Johnson embarked on his career as a fine wine merchant a year later, selling upscale wines across the country. In 1983 he was recruited to open a chain of wine shops around Chicago. Three years later, Johnson began his entrepreneurial phase by founding Knightsbridge Wine Shoppe.

Class, Clarity and Conviviality

Under Johnson’s ownership and guidance, Knightsbridge became one of the most respected and prestigious fine wine shops in the nation. Trade and business publications recognized Johnson frequently for his innovation, expertise and excellence. He was named “The Windy City’s Wizard of Wine” by Market Watch Magazine, the wine industry’s leading business publication, in 2000, and his establishment was voted “Best Wine Shop” by Chicago Magazine in 1999.

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Johnson sold the business in 2006 and started Pantheon Wine Shoppe, a more refined concept, one with a greater focus on education, collectors, and wine cellars. It has enjoyed immediate success as loyal customers and top wine producers and renowned suppliers from around the world enthusiastically embraced his renaissance.

Johnson’s love of food and wine has taken him to dozens of the world’s finest restaurants, “collecting Michelin Stars” along the way. A true gourmet and bon vivant, he has also been called a raconteur for his penchant for telling amusing anecdotes and ribald jokes on the subject of wine. His knowledge of classical music and opera, in addition to his proficiency in several foreign languages, gives added flavor to his observations of the wine lifestyle.

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A graduate of the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business, Brian started his career in upscale catering ten years ago. He developed a strong interest in fine wine during that period and decided to pursue his interest professionally. A certified Executive Sommelier since 2004, Brian served as the Property Sommelier and Assistant Food and Beverage Manager at the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek. He then moved to the Hyatt Regency Maui where he held various management positions until early 2008 when he joined Pantheon Wine. His extensive hospitality experience along with a real passion for wine and food make him a superb fit in our quality focused fine wine shop.