James and Mark Blanchard
Blanchard Family Wines is more than a tale of two brothers with a desire to start a business together. It is the story of how wine can bring people together, shatter barriers, and can ignite passions that make dreams come true. Blanchard Family Wines is a company formed to express two brother’s vision of the uniting qualities of great wine shared between friends and family.
Although this is a first generation wine venture, the roots of the company are grounded in a family concept. The founders, Mark and James Blanchard, follow the tradition of two Blanchard brothers that can be traced back to at least the last four generations in the family. Only separated by two years in age, they played the same sports, had the same interests, and the younger Mark was often seen following James around in emulation. In fact, they ran so closely as children that everyone referred to them simply as the Blanchard Boys.
They both had seen how wine had created togetherness and camaraderie between their friends, their family, and each other, and they shared this story with anyone that would listen. They knew that someday the time would be right and they would launch their venture.
During one of James’ visits to Sonoma County for Mark’s 30th birthday, the Blanchard Boys were relaxing for the evening with a cigar and a glass of wine, James turned to Mark and said that enough was enough, the right time was now. It was there that the foundations of Blanchard Family Wines were born.
