Blandy, a name that is synonymous with madeira, both the island and the wine. The Blandy family has extensive interests on Madeira, including hotels, travel, and media. John Blandy of Dorset came to live on the island in 1811, having been introduced to the island and its wines while serving in the navy. His son Charles was astute enough to buy up considerable stocks of mature wine during the outbreak of powdery mildew in 1852, which contributed to the success of the madeira wine firm Blandy Brothers & Co. in the second half of the 19th century. In 1874, Charles’s daughter married a Cossart, of the other important madeira wine firm Cossart Gordon. The tourist showpiece of the madeira wine industry, the old São Francisco lodge in Funchal, was once the Blandy family home and offices.
