is Inspirational
Blaine “Mr. Mardi Gras” Kern

Blaine Kern, famously known as “Mr. Mardi Gras,” was a visionary who transformed New Orleans Carnival from a tradition reserved for the local elite, into a celebration for people from all walks of life.

Blaine Kern’s limitless capacity to imagine and create coupled with his courage to rock the boat, ignited a previously unimagined scope of inclusivity and participation in what is now the world-renowned Mardi Gras. Rex, King of Carnival, bestowed upon him the title “Mr. Mardi Gras” for his revolutionary contributions.

As Blaine once said, “In the beginning, Mardi Gras consisted of a few parades, exclusively composed of Waspish Caucasians, but by God, if you were Jewish, Black, or even Italian, it was closed (forbidden), you had to be white….baloney….. I changed THAT! I opened Mardi Gras to everybody.”

Opening Mardi Gras to everybody became Blaine’s life’s mission, and in the end, his proudest accomplishment.

is Magical
“Mr. & Mrs. Mardi Gras”

Mr. Mardi Gras alcohol beverages are an extension of the love that motivated Blaine Kern to unify people under the inviting canopy of fun and celebration. Blaine’s love was not limited to his passion, but also to a very special someone. She was his soul mate, loving wife, best friend, confidant, inspiration, and finally at the end of his life, his caretaker. Blaine and Holly Kern formed a bond that transcended the physical into the spiritual and metaphysical. Although, with a nearly fifty-year age difference, their instant connection vibrated with a recipe of love, adoration, enchantment and one giant measure of fun and whimsy.

The brand’s conception is a fairytale romance about Blaine and Holly, and how in the last two decades of his life, he found a kindred spirit in her. As his muse, Holly helped him to reinvent himself, and become more creative than ever.

And their fairytale…it has a happy ending, as our King and Queen Wine is an ode to their eternal love story

is Invincible
From Los Gatos to NOLA

However, there is much more to this story, namely, friendship and collaboration. Blaine always believed in combining the talents of gifted people, as did Holly. Knowing this, but, not yet knowing where it would lead, Holly introduced Blaine to her long-time dear friend and mentor, Sanjeev Chitre, a charismatic, entrepreneurial mastermind. Over time, the creative geniuses became friends. In September 2019 on a phone call with Holly, explaining how he was intrigued about creating a unique, wonderful tasting combination of fruit and wine, along with a sprinkle of fun, Mr Mardi Gras Wines was born. Holly’s enthusiasm about the possibilities of a Mr. Mardi Gras Wine brand centered around Blaine, the most influential person in Mardi Gras history, was contagious to both Sanjeev and Blaine. It was so contagious that Sanjeev got to work on building the parent company (Juju Wines) and Blaine got to work on doing what he did best….bringing his visions to life.

The friendship and partnership between the three ignited the spark that brought to life the one-of-a-kind beverage that you enjoy today. It combines affordability, creativity, and fun, while enabling a first-class taste of Mardi Gras for EVERYBODY, Everyday!

is Unforgettable
“Mr. & Mrs. Mardi Gras”

Blaine once said, “I bring happiness to people every year. Everybody’s got a big grin on their face and having fun, so I figure I’m bringing joy to millions of people.”

Indeed he did bring lots of happiness and fun to the masses, but in reality, Blaine’s colorful life’s work, could never be confined to just Fat Tuesday. That’s why, as our brands slogan, we chose his quote, “Mardi Gras is for Everybody, Everyday!”

So let’s raise our beverages in the air and toast together because to Blaine “Mr. Mardi Gras” Kern, life was one big party!