Kimberly (Kim) Benson joined the St. Francis team in 2026 as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer. She brings more than 16 years of experience in finance and operations, with extensive experience in the wine industry. Kim holds an MBA in Wine Business from Sonoma State University and a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural & Resource Economics, with an emphasis in Managerial Economics, from UC Davis.

Kim began her career in finance and accounting roles at La Tortilla Factory and WX Brands, building a strong foundation in both the wine and consumer goods industries. She went on to hold leadership positions at Vintage Wine Estates, where she led the finance and accounting organization focused on driving growth strategies both organically and through acquisition. She later served as Chief Financial Officer at Crimson Wine Group, where she oversaw finance, SEC reporting, and IT for a portfolio of wineries across Sonoma, Napa, San Luis Obispo and the Willamette Valley. Most recently, she served as Chief Financial Officer at Rack & Riddle, a custom sparkling wine producer, where she led finance, IT, HR, and compliance while working closely with operations and winemaking.

Kim’s extensive experience across finance, operations, and the wine industry is a great asset to the St. Francis team. In her role, Kim leads the financial strategy and operational execution that support the winery’s continued growth. Known as a collaborative, people-first leader, Kim brings energy, curiosity, and clarity to everything she takes on, and is passionate about building exceptional teams and a culture where collaboration and excellence go hand in hand.

Kim resides in Windsor with her husband, daughter, and their rescue dog, Norman. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, summer boating, and baking with her daughter.