Longtime finance and operations leader retires as accomplished wine industry executive Kimberly Benson assumes executive leadership role.
August 12, 2026 (Santa Rosa, CA) — The Kopf Family, owners of St. Francis Winery & Vineyards, Sequoia Grove Winery, Résonance, and partners in Domaine Carneros with the Taittinger family, announces a leadership transition within its executive team. Bob Aldridge, who has served as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer for 25 years, will retire following a distinguished career. Kimberly Benson has been named Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer and will work alongside Aldridge to ensure a seamless leadership transition.
During his 25-year tenure, Aldridge helped guide St. Francis Winery & Vineyards, Sequoia Grove Winery, Résonance, and Domaine Carneros through decades of growth. He played a central role in each winery’s financial stewardship, operational excellence, and long-term development while building exceptional teams across the organization. His leadership, sound judgment, and unwavering dedication have left a lasting mark on the wineries and the people who make them successful.
“It has been the honor of my professional life to be part of this family, and I am grateful beyond words for the trust, support, and friendships we’ve built over these many years,” said Bob Aldridge.
“On behalf of the Kopf Family, I want to express our deepest gratitude to Bob for his extraordinary commitment and leadership over the past 25 years,” said Rick Bonitati, President and CEO of Kopf Family Estates. “I’ve had the privilege of working alongside Bob for the past nine years, and his integrity, steady leadership, and dedication to excellence have shaped every part of our organization. His impact on our wineries and our people will be felt for years to come.
“While we will miss him greatly, we are excited to welcome Kim into this role. Her extensive financial and operational leadership, combined with her deep knowledge of the wine industry, make her exceptionally well suited to help lead our wineries into the future.”
In her new role, Benson will oversee finance and operations across Kopf Family Estates, partnering with winery leadership to support strategic growth, operational excellence, and the long-term stewardship of each estate while preserving the distinct identity and heritage of every winery.
Benson brings more than 16 years of executive finance and operational leadership in the wine industry. Most recently, she served as Chief Financial Officer at Rack & Riddle, where she oversaw finance, information technology, human resources, and compliance while partnering closely with operations and winemaking. Previously, she served as CFO of Crimson Wine Group and held senior financial leadership positions with Vintage Wine Estates, WX Brands, and La Tortilla Factory.
Benson earned an MBA with a concentration in Wine Business from Sonoma State University and a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural & Resource Economics, with an emphasis in Managerial Economics, from the University of California, Davis. “I am deeply honored to join Kopf Family Estates and humbled by the opportunity to follow Bob’s remarkable 25 years of leadership,” said Kimberly Benson. “Bob’s legacy is not only the exceptional foundation he helped build, but also the culture of trust, excellence, and stewardship he fostered along the way. St. Francis, Sequoia Grove, Resonance, and Domaine Carneros are iconic wineries with rich histories, talented teams, and an unwavering commitment to quality. I look forward to partnering with our leadership teams to carry his legacy forward — supporting continued growth, operational excellence, and long-term success while preserving the values and distinct identities that have made these wineries so respected.”
