Lisa Evich, Director of Winemaking - SIMI Wines
Hailing from Santa Rosa, Lisa Evich studied Environmental Studies & Planning at Sonoma State University, then she felt the vineyards call to her. It was the science of winemaking, the art and the craft that could translate a place into a bottle. Lisa began her career with 9 years at SIMI before taking up positions at Pine Ridge and Arrowood.
In 2015, she returned as Winemaker. In 2022, she became the Director of Winemaking, carrying on the winery's historic legacy of female-led winemaking.
Lisa says, there's no greater compliment than for someone to tell her that SIMI is their house wine.
Lisa Evich, Director of Winemaking - SIMI Wines
Hailing from Santa Rosa, Lisa Evich studied Environmental Studies & Planning at Sonoma State University, then she felt the vineyards call to her. It was the science of winemaking, the art and the craft that could translate a place into a bottle. Lisa began her career with 9 years at SIMI before taking up positions at Pine Ridge and Arrowood.
In 2015, she returned as Winemaker. In 2022, she became the Director of Winemaking, carrying on the winery's historic legacy of female-led winemaking.
Lisa says, there's no greater compliment than for someone to tell her that SIMI is their house wine.
Nicole Hitchcock, Head Winemaker - J. Vineyards and Winery
Nicole’s passion for wine was ignited while working alongside well-respected restaurant sommeliers. She earned a degree in Viticulture and Enology and a minor in Italian language, which took her around the world to an agriturismo in Todi, Umbria. She has since honed her craft in Northern California and has been J’s Winemaker for many years—overseeing all aspects of winemaking for our award-winning sparkling and varietal wines. Congratulations, Nicole!
Nicole Hitchcock, Head Winemaker - J. Vineyards and Winery
Nicole’s passion for wine was ignited while working alongside well-respected restaurant sommeliers. She earned a degree in Viticulture and Enology and a minor in Italian language, which took her around the world to an agriturismo in Todi, Umbria. She has since honed her craft in Northern California and has been J’s Winemaker for many years—overseeing all aspects of winemaking for our award-winning sparkling and varietal wines. Congratulations, Nicole!
Jill Russell, Winemaker, Cambria Wines
In love with food and wine since a stint in high school as a server at a winery in Livermore, CA, her path was always crystal-clear. A degree in Wine and Viticulture at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo allowed Jill to “learn by doing” (the school’s motto) and convinced her the Central Coast was where she wanted to put down roots.
She racked up some major miles in her training: a semester spent learning about wine in Adelaide, Australia, was followed by another quarter at Tolosa Winery back on the Central Coast. Since Jill was already confident our little bit of California was heaven, she was delighted to join Stephen Dooley’s winery, Stephen Ross Wine Cellars in the Edna Valley, and quickly rose to the position of Assistant Winemaker. She spent five years there until she received a couldn’t-turn-down opportunity to work harvest in Menetou-Salon in France’s Loire Valley. And how could she go to France and not spend even more time visiting all of France’s major wine regions, tasting and learning, once harvest was complete?
Back stateside, she joined Paul Lato at his boutique Santa Barbara winery, diving into Sta. Rita Hills, our beautiful Santa Maria Valley, and stoking her enduring love of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Knowing she was right where she wanted to be, the chance to join Cambria as Winemaker was a no-brainer and, she still maintains, the opportunity of a lifetime. She loves working with the vineyards throughout our estate and getting to know them on a block-by-block basis, digging into the clones, soils, and microclimates. Her passion and unique energy are in every bottle. Jill, her husband and live-in chef Torrey, and cheerful dog Sansa, are proud residents of Los Alamos – a tiny country town just 15 minutes South of the winery.
Jill Russell, Winemaker, Cambria Wines
In love with food and wine since a stint in high school as a server at a winery in Livermore, CA, her path was always crystal-clear. A degree in Wine and Viticulture at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo allowed Jill to “learn by doing” (the school’s motto) and convinced her the Central Coast was where she wanted to put down roots.
She racked up some major miles in her training: a semester spent learning about wine in Adelaide, Australia, was followed by another quarter at Tolosa Winery back on the Central Coast. Since Jill was already confident our little bit of California was heaven, she was delighted to join Stephen Dooley’s winery, Stephen Ross Wine Cellars in the Edna Valley, and quickly rose to the position of Assistant Winemaker. She spent five years there until she received a couldn’t-turn-down opportunity to work harvest in Menetou-Salon in France’s Loire Valley. And how could she go to France and not spend even more time visiting all of France’s major wine regions, tasting and learning, once harvest was complete?
Back stateside, she joined Paul Lato at his boutique Santa Barbara winery, diving into Sta. Rita Hills, our beautiful Santa Maria Valley, and stoking her enduring love of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Knowing she was right where she wanted to be, the chance to join Cambria as Winemaker was a no-brainer and, she still maintains, the opportunity of a lifetime. She loves working with the vineyards throughout our estate and getting to know them on a block-by-block basis, digging into the clones, soils, and microclimates. Her passion and unique energy are in every bottle. Jill, her husband and live-in chef Torrey, and cheerful dog Sansa, are proud residents of Los Alamos – a tiny country town just 15 minutes South of the winery.
Jamie Benziger, Winemaker - Imagery Estate Winery
Growing up between her family’s two Sonoma wineries, it’s no surprise that Jamie Benziger is blazing her own trail in the wine industry. As a kid, Jamie was always on the move, whether it was playing soccer, riding her horse, or running around with her two sisters, Kelly and Jill. Later, while studying marketing at Loyola Marymount University and working summers selling tour tickets at the winery, Jamie realized she wanted the family business to be her future. To get back to wine country.
Jamie transferred to Sonoma State University to complete her marketing degree and added wine business to her studies. She interned in marketing with Gundlach Bundschu Winery during school but it wasn’t until her first harvest working the lab at Benziger that Jamie realized her heart was really in winemaking.
Since then, Jamie has had incredible opportunities to continue learning the chemistry of fine wine working in the wine labs at St. Francis and Bogle, traveling to New Zealand to work harvest at Villa Maria, and get her hands dirty in the field at Enterprise Vineyards. Returning home to Sonoma in 2015, Jamie had the opportunity to work alongside the most incredible winemaker she knows; her Dad, Joe Benziger. Mentored by her father and just as adventurous, Jamie is passionate about taking Imagery to a broader audience.
Jamie Benziger, Winemaker - Imagery Estate Winery
Growing up between her family’s two Sonoma wineries, it’s no surprise that Jamie Benziger is blazing her own trail in the wine industry. As a kid, Jamie was always on the move, whether it was playing soccer, riding her horse, or running around with her two sisters, Kelly and Jill. Later, while studying marketing at Loyola Marymount University and working summers selling tour tickets at the winery, Jamie realized she wanted the family business to be her future. To get back to wine country.
Jamie transferred to Sonoma State University to complete her marketing degree and added wine business to her studies. She interned in marketing with Gundlach Bundschu Winery during school but it wasn’t until her first harvest working the lab at Benziger that Jamie realized her heart was really in winemaking.
Since then, Jamie has had incredible opportunities to continue learning the chemistry of fine wine working in the wine labs at St. Francis and Bogle, traveling to New Zealand to work harvest at Villa Maria, and get her hands dirty in the field at Enterprise Vineyards. Returning home to Sonoma in 2015, Jamie had the opportunity to work alongside the most incredible winemaker she knows; her Dad, Joe Benziger. Mentored by her father and just as adventurous, Jamie is passionate about taking Imagery to a broader audience.
Xiaofan Zhao, Director of Winemaking - Meiomi Wines
Xiaofan Zhao is an accomplished winemaker crafting for Meiomi and Vint. Her expertise is backed by degrees in viticulture from institutions in both China and the United States. Graduated from the Wine College, with B.S Viticulture and Enology, from Northwest A&F University, Shaanxi China. Drawing from her deep respect for nature, Xiaofan is dedicated to creating wines of exceptional quality.
Xiaofan Zhao, Director of Winemaking - Meiomi Wines
Xiaofan Zhao is an accomplished winemaker crafting for Meiomi and Vint. Her expertise is backed by degrees in viticulture from institutions in both China and the United States. Graduated from the Wine College, with B.S Viticulture and Enology, from Northwest A&F University, Shaanxi China. Drawing from her deep respect for nature, Xiaofan is dedicated to creating wines of exceptional quality.
Anna Welch Prost, Associate Winemaker - A to Z
Anna serves an integral role in winemaking with a primary focus on A to Z white and rosé wines. Following her degree in Horticulture from Cal Poly, Anna studied at Lincoln University in New Zealand and later also completed the Chemeketa Winemaking program. She worked at Chappellet and Cardinale wineries in California, Delegats Wine Estates in New Zealand, and Vasse Felix Winery in Australia before coming to A to Z for the 2009 harvest. Subsequently, she has served as Lab Technician, Lab Manager, Enologist, and Assistant Winemaker before becoming Associate Winemaker.
Anna Welch Prost, Associate Winemaker - A to Z
Anna serves an integral role in winemaking with a primary focus on A to Z white and rosé wines. Following her degree in Horticulture from Cal Poly, Anna studied at Lincoln University in New Zealand and later also completed the Chemeketa Winemaking program. She worked at Chappellet and Cardinale wineries in California, Delegats Wine Estates in New Zealand, and Vasse Felix Winery in Australia before coming to A to Z for the 2009 harvest. Subsequently, she has served as Lab Technician, Lab Manager, Enologist, and Assistant Winemaker before becoming Associate Winemaker.