Robert O. “Bobby” Bianco, co-owner of Anthony Vineyards, passed away on Saturday, March 6th, 2021, at Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, CA. In passing, Bobby joins his recently deceased wife, Harlene.
Bobby was born March 16, 1942 in The Bronx, New York, to Anthony and Rosa Bianco. Bobby attended the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, IN where he received a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree with a concentration in Finance in 1965.
Bobby moved to Indian Wells, CA along with his wife, Harlene, in 1969. From the desert they built a family and a business, Anthony Vineyards. For more than 50 years, Bobby and his brother, Domenick T. “Cookie” Bianco worked side-by-side to create, build and maintain Anthony Vineyards with Bobby overseeing the Coachella Valley operations and Cookie overseeing the Bakersfield, CA portion. While holding executive positions at Sun World International, the Bianco brothers never took a salary from Anthony Vineyards, instead reinvesting that money into the growth and expansion of the company. Together, the two brothers managed a company that includes nearly 10,000 acres of organic and conventional table grapes, dates, citrus, and peppers. Additionally, they have partnered with Prime Time International since its initial founding, and they are co-owners of SunDate, both in Coachella, CA.
Bobby was an icon in the Coachella Valley. His company has employed thousands of farmworkers over the past 50 years, providing opportunities to support the economic growth of the East Valley. He always treated everyone with dignity and respect. His daily presence at Anthony Vineyards walking the fields and interacting with people will be greatly missed.
Bobby was instrumental in the development and expansion of the “Red Flame Seedless” grape. This new grape variety came to its prominence in the mid-1970s. The “Red Flame Seedless” was a major advancement in the evolution of the grape industry. Grape growers from around the world came to the Coachella Valley to learn about this new grape variety, and Bobby was more than pleased to share his knowledge and experience.
A public viewing as well as praying the Rosary will be held Friday, March 19 from 3:00-5:00pm at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Cathedral City. A funeral mass will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Church in Palm Desert on Saturday, March 20 at 10:00am. A reception will immediately follow at Empire Polo Grounds in Indio (use Avenue 50 entrance). Face coverings are required for all services.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in the name of Bobby & Harlene Bianco to any of the following:
- Lewy Body Dementia Association – www.lbda.org
- Boys and Girls Club of the Coachella Valley – www.bgcofcv.org
- Sacred Heart Church of Palm Desert – www.sacredheartpalmdesert.com
- Our Lady of Guadalupe Church of Mecca – www.santuariodeguadalupemecca.com
- Our Lady of Soledad Church of Coachella – www.ourladyofsoledad.org
For more information:
Rob Spinelli
Anthony Vineyards, Inc.
Tel: +1 (661) 858-8300
Email: rspinelli@anthonyvineyards.com
www.anthonyvineyards.com