Bob Aldridge to Retire; Kimberly Benson Named Successor
After 25 years of service, Bob Aldridge is retiring from his role as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of St. Francis Winery & Vineyards. Kimberly Benson has been named as his successor and will work closely with Bob in the coming weeks to ensure a smooth transition.
Since joining the Kopf Family organization 25 years ago, Bob has helped guide St. Francis Winery & Vineyards, along with sister properties Sequoia Grove Winery, Résonance, and Domaine Carneros, through decades of growth. Beyond his role in financial stewardship and operational excellence, Bob is remembered by many of us as a familiar face around the winery — known for his warm smile, his genuine interest in the people around him, and the relationships he built with our team, members, and guests over the years.
Welcoming Kimberly Benson
Stepping into the CFO/COO role is Kimberly Benson, who brings more than 16 years of executive finance and operations experience in the wine industry. Most recently, Kim served as Chief Financial Officer at Rack & Riddle and has held senior finance leadership roles at Crimson Wine Group, Vintage Wine Estates, WX Brands, and La Tortilla Factory. She holds an MBA with a concentration in Wine Business from Sonoma State University and a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural & Resource Economics from UC Davis.
In her new role, Kim will oversee finance and operations across Kopf Family Estates, partnering with leadership across each property to support strategic growth and operational excellence while preserving what makes each winery unique.
Please join us in thanking Bob for his 25 years of dedication to St. Francis, and in giving Kim a warm welcome as she steps into her new role. Whether you’ve shared a glass with Bob in our tasting room or simply enjoyed the wines he helped bring to your table, we hope you’ll join us in raising one to him — and to everything ahead with Kim.
Read the full press release here.