JOHN ANDERSON

John Anderson’s childhood was spent tinkering with electronics and building things in San Marino, California. Later, in the proper scheme of things, he graduated from Claremont McKenna College with a B.A. majoring in economics and political science. While attending college, he took a semester abroad in London where he was first exposed to fine European chocolates. Immediately out of college he went to work for Macy’s in their executive training program. Part of his duties while there was to manage the candy department which included a selection of fine chocolates- his second experience with this style of confection. Deciding that the world of Macy’s was not for him, he moved on to the real passion of his life – art.

While Tracy was immersed in the food arts at the California Culinary Academy, John crossed the pond after being accepted into the Christie’s Fine Arts Course in London. At Christie’s he was taught to recognize and evaluate fine and decorative arts of the last 500 years. Although still passionate about art, John decided that he would buy art rather than sell it and joined his parents in developing their vineyard and winery into a thriving business. As Managing Director he was responsible for nearly everything but the actual winemaking – and he lent his palate to blending sessions as well. After 30 years owning the vineyard, John’s family decided to retire from winemaking and pursue other interests. For John and his wife Tracy, that was chocolate.

John spent his two years between selling the winery and opening Woodhouse Chocolate traveling to Belgium and France, tasting, and analyzing chocolates, and back home, earning his M.B.A. at U.C. Davis (with honors) and working on the building which was to become Woodhouse. With the help of his stepfather, Tom Scott and doing most of the work themselves, John took their 19th century building down to mud and walls and then transformed it into the luxurious store and kitchen you see today. Woodhouse Chocolate is a very personal expression of John’s passion for fine art – edible or otherwise.