William "Bill" Blackmon

Co-Founder

Widely regarded as a patriarch of Texas wine grape growing, William "Bill" Blackmon was one of the original founders of William Chris Vineyards and is still a crucial part of our team today. Before winemaking, Bill farmed in the High Plains around Lubbock farming cotton before planting his first vineyard in 1983. Unlike cotton and grain, Bill found growing grapes more exciting as there was a clear end product in wine. Bill would be introduced to Chris Brundrett while they were both working for wineries in the Hill Country. What began as an acquaintance would grow as collaboration in a shared Old-World winemaking philosophy that would eventually lead to the creation of William Chris Vineyards. Following the merger between William Chris Vineyards and Lost Draw Cellars in 2020, Bill has stepped into a more vineyard-focused role, helping to lead and educate the next generation of industry-leading grape farmers.