ROOTED IN CRAFT, GUIDED BY IMAGINATION.

Our Legacy

Imagery Estate Winery was forged from a thirst for experimentation and an unshakable belief that the most compelling wines are the ones bold enough to stand on their own. In the mid‑1980s, our founding winemaker, Joe Benziger, began setting aside exceptional vineyard blocks that were simply too character‑rich to be swallowed up in bigger blends. Those small‑lot bottlings, first released in 1985, became the Imagery series: rare, uncommon varietals crafted with complete creative freedom. From the start, we’ve made space for curiosity, inviting everyone, from the newly wine‑curious to the seasoned connoisseur, to taste beyond the expected. 

WINE INSPIRED BY ART

Our wine collection is crafted to intrigue, delight, and inspire. Each bottle celebrates curiosity, creativity, and craftsmanship. Our wines range from structured reds to layered blends and vibrant whites, each telling a story through both flavor and design. Every label is a canvas, reflecting the artistry and vision that shape the wine inside, making each pour a journey to savor and share.

DISTINCT BY DESIGN

Art-driven. Grounded in the vineyard. Boldly blended.

ART AS INSPIRATION

Every bottle features original artwork from contemporary artists, turning each release into a collaboration of creativity, expression, and connection.

VINEYARD EXPLORATION

We work with distinctive vineyard sites across Sonoma and beyond, sourcing fruit that brings personality and character to every blend.

BOLD BLENDING

We take unique varietals and craft them into something unexpected. Through creative blending and small-lot winemaking, each wine is designed to stand out in the glass.

OUR TEAM

“Watching people take their first sip of Mouvedre, Lagrein or Barbera, and being able to share in their excitement and sense of discovery—that is my inspiration and my greatest reward.”

— Joe Benziger 

JAMIE BENZIGER

Winemaker

Our second-generation winemaker, Jamie Benziger, grew up between Benziger and Imagery. While working summers at the wineries, Jamie realized she wanted the family business to be her future. But it wasn’t until her first harvest in the Benziger lab that she discovered her passion for winemaking. After gaining experience working both domestically and abroad, she was well-poised to take over the reins when her father, our Founding Winemaker Joe Benziger retired in 2017. Since becoming winemaker, Jamie has been named the 2019 Best Woman Winemaker in the International Women’s Wine Competition, she was also included on Wine Enthusiast’s list of 40 Under 40 Tastemakers.

KARA DELAMBERT

Art Curator

Kara Lynae de Lambert is an alumnus from Sonoma State University where she earned a B.A. in Art History and a Minor in Arts Management. Throughout college, she worked at the University Art Gallery in Rohnert Park and the di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art in Napa. After graduating in 2012, she stared her own art consultant and curatorial business, Lynae Arts. Kara is the Curator at Imagery Estate Winery in Sonoma Valley and for over 10 years has managed the Artistry Label Program commissioning emerging and established artists for the wine label brand. In 2015, she expanded her business to provide Personal Property Appraisals. Kara earned the Core Course in Appraisal Studies certificate and is a Member at the International Society of Appraisers (ISA). Since 2019, she has completed the 15 Hour and 7 Hour Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisals Practice (USPAP). Currently, she lives and works in Sonoma County with over 10 years of experience in the Fine Art industry.

LEE KRUSE

Tasting Room Manager

Lee’s wine career began twenty years ago as a part-time wine educator, a natural extension of her deep background in hospitality. Over time, she worked her way into wine club and tasting room management, building a people-first approach to sharing wine along the way. She joined the Imagery team in July 2024, returning to her home in Sonoma Valley after a rewarding chapter in Napa. Outside of work, she can be found hiking, trail running, skiing, or skating, and she jumps at any chance to visit her family in Minnesota and North Carolina.

ANDREW EWING

Wine Club Manager

Andrew’s journey to wine began in the kitchen. A Certified Chef with a deep appreciation for food and flavor, he discovered the magic of wine pairing early on. One sip was all it took – he was hooked, not just on the wine, but on what it could do alongside the perfect dish. After years in fine dining, he found his home in Sonoma wine country, where he now brings his passion for hospitality to Benziger Family Winery. Andrew is inspired by the winery’s commitment to sustainability. Whether planning a pickup party or helping a guest find their next favorite bottle, he brings chef-level attention to detail and warm Midwestern charm to every experience.

JERRY MACKLING

Vineyard Manager

Growing up on a family farm in Nebraska, Jarold (Jerry) Mackling is a natural fit as Vineyard Manager at Benziger Family Winery. Jerry moved to California in 1986, working his way to Vineyard Manager at Kunde Family Vineyards over the course of 31 years. Upon departure from Kunde, he took on the role of Viticulturist for Redwood Empire Vineyard Management overseeing multiple properties in the Russian River, Dry Creek, Chalk Hill and Alexander Valley AVAs. In February of 2019, Jerry started as Vineyard Manager at Benziger overseeing 9 vineyards throughout Sonoma County.

JILL BENZIGER

Trade Development Ambassador

Jill Benziger’s journey with Benziger Family Winery began long before her official start in 2015. She first worked at the winery during summer before high school, gaining hands-on experience and developing a deep appreciation for her family’s legacy in winemaking. After earning her BA in Psychology from Sonoma State University, Jill returned to the family business, bringing her passion, insight, and dedication to the team. Outside of the winery, Jill loves spending quality time with her husband, Jordan, and their lively Doberman mix, Marley Man. She also enjoys catching up over a cocktail with her best friend—her retired dad and Imagery founder, Joe Benziger. An adventurer at heart, Jill embraces the next great experience, whether exploring new places or enjoying life’s spontaneous moments.

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