Chris Blanchard, is one of just over 200 individuals to pass the Master Sommelier exam. He is currently the National Sales Director for Vine Hill Ranch, VHR, the acclaimed Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon from the historic Napa Valley vineyard. He is also judging wines at one of the leading competitions called Sommeliers Choice Awards on 19th-20th May, 2019.

His restaurant experience includes many years as the Wine Director and Sommelier for REDD Restaurant, where San Francisco Magazine named Chris as the “Critic’s Choice Best Wine Director” naming him as one of the “4 Stars” in the entire San Francisco Bay Area food scene. Forbes Magazine named his wine list at REDD as one of the “Top Wine Lists in the World” and he has been featured in numerous Food & Wine Magazine articles.

With 25 years in the wine business, Chris has opened and created wine programs for many prestigious restaurants across the country, including the Chateau Marmont in Hollywood, as well as opening the Solage & Bardessono resorts in Napa Valley, as a sommelier at Auberge du Soleil and as a mentor and trainer for the wine team at the French Laundry. He has also represented some of the Napa Valley's most exclusive wineries, as sales director for Etude,
Far Niente and Chappellet. Chris currently resides in the Napa Valley with his wife Lauren.