The foremost pisco expert in the world, Johnny Schuler has dedicated much of his life to setting the standards for excellence in the pisco industry and revitalizing interest in Peru’s native spirit. As a pisco ambassador, he has traveled extensively in Peru and around the world educating spirits industry professionals and the public alike about the culture, heritage, and craftsmanship that makes pisco so unique.

Johnny’s passion for pisco was first piqued in 1977 when he was asked to be an impromptu judge at a pisco competition. A well-established chef and restaurateur in Lima with a great appreciation for fine wines, he was known for his discerning palate. After sipping over 80 different varieties of the spirit, he was surprised to find that pisco could be so diverse and have such robust and complex flavor. He dedicated himself to learning everything he could about pisco and came to be its greatest advocate.

For more than 20 years, Johnny has played an integral role in bringing together government ministries and the private sector to regulate the pisco industry in Peru. As a member of INDECOPI, an organization responsible for protecting consumer rights and monitoring fair business practices in the country, Johnny was responsible for tasting and verifying the authenticity of any beverage seeking official designation as Peruvian pisco. He is also currently a member for the National Commission of Pisco (CONAPISCO) and was a founding member of the National Tasters Guild of Peru, for which he served as president for 17 years.

Johnny stepped down from his position as president of the National Tasters Guild in 2010 when he was approached by Pisco Portón founders Bill and Brent Kallop to create a new brand of super premium pisco for the U.S. market. For Johnny, it was an opportunity to create the finest expression of Peruvian pisco. As Master Distiller he oversees every aspect of production, from harvest to bottling, at the Hacienda La Caravedo distillery, the oldest distillery in the Americas established in 1684 in Ica, Peru.

Respected the world over for his expertise, Johnny was awarded the Medal of Honor by the Peruvian Congress in recognition for all that he has done to promote pisco and uphold Peruvian culture and tradition. He continues his work as a pisco ambassador, regularly speaking at wine and spirits events and judging tasting competitions, including the prestigious Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, where he has sat on the jury for several years. His expertise and enthusiasm for pisco can also be seen on his popular television show, Por Las Rutas del Pisco, which airs throughout Latin America and the U.S. A trained chef and successful restaurateur, Pisco Portón is showcased in the dishes and at the bars of his restaurants in Peru, Granja Azul and Key Club. When he is not working, he enjoys spending time with his family at their home in Lima.