Blanchard Family Wines
A passion for wine, charity, with a tribute to the Air Force and the Special Forces.
Brothers Mark and James Blanchard, came together one holiday to discovered they both had a passion for wine and both had the dream to open a winery. In the early 2000’s, while James became a special forces pilot in the Air Force, Mark moved out to Northern California and learned to make wine. In 2009, they opened Blanchard Family Wines.
Why you should go: For barrel samples, great wine, meet the winemaker, casual
Website: Blanchardfamilywines.com
Case Production: 1500-2000
Wines: Rosé of Grenache, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Grenache, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon
My Favorites: Jackson James Zinfandel and Cash Allen Cabernet Sauvignon
Location: 109 W. North St, Healdsburg, CA 95448
Today, Mark manages the winemaking and James the financials. Mark’s passion comes through when you visit their small appointment only tasting room and production facility in Healdsburg, CA. He proudly and honestly will chat about how he sources his grapes, how he makes wine, what it’s like owning a winery, and everything and anything in-between. He’ll tell you how sourcing his grapes gives him the freedom to choose the best quality and varietals for his style of winemaking, and how he didn’t inherit land or a chateau and so this is how you build.