Founded as a collaboration between Winemaker Joe Benziger and Artist Bob Nugent in 1987, Imagery Estate Winery is a marriage of art and wine. Unique varietals with a twist such as Lagrein, Malbec, Primitivo, Tannat, Viognier, and Albariño are produced along with California favorites such as Cabernet, Chardonnay, Merlot, and white blends. Their wines not only reflect artistry on the inside of the bottle but on the outside label as well. For each wine, every vintage will receive a different commissioned artwork to be featured as the label. The original canvas is then received into their gallery collection onsite with pieces showcased on rotation throughout the tasting room.
The common thread uniting each label is the requirement each artist incorporate a Parthenon into the piece. Often small and obscure, it pays homage to a hand-drawn sketch Bob once made of a smaller replica Parthenon located at Benziger Winery. The nod to this iconic structure connects the two properties and two generations of family winemaking. An adaptation of the original sketch can be found on their flagship Bordeaux Blend, Pallas. Unlike their other wines, the label for this special bottling remains constant for each vintage.

Now leading the charge at Imagery are two dynamic and accomplished young women: Jamie Benziger and Kara Lynae de Lambert. With the last name of Benziger, Jamie knew she had big shoes to fill when her father Joe retired from Imagery Estate in 2017. While completing her marketing and wine business degrees at Sonoma State University, she interned at Gundlach Bundschu, St. Francis Winery, and did a harvest in New Zealand. But it was working in the lab at Benziger and being mentored by her father which affirmed her calling. Her first release, a Tempranillo Rosé, sold out in two months, and her portfolio of wines and recognition have grown with each vintage.

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Jamie Benziger:
• Wine Enthusiast’s 2019 Tastemaker 40 Under 40
• 2019 Best Women Winemaker, International Women’s Wine Competition

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Kara Lynae de Lambert, Imagery Curator: Kara’s background in art history and arts management lead her to Imagery Estate where creative expression has been at the forefront of each bottle since the winery’s inception. Over the past ten years, Kara has managed the winery’s Artistry Label Program commissioning emerging and established artists for the wine label brand. A staggering total of 700 pieces from 400 artists will grace the front label of 30 unique bottlings per year. Kara selects the artists whose works are varied in medium, techniques, and expression and then she and Jamie taste together while viewing the submissions to find the right expression for that varietal and vintage.

Taste and View

The tasting room offers a wide variety of tastings experiences and walk-ins are welcome. The pinnacle of their tastings is the Collections Tasting with Gallery Tour. Here, you will be immersed in the fine arts and fine wine. This intimate, seated, and semi-private experience highlights their most coveted small lot wines and includes the story behind each label. Includes hosted gallery tour and seated exploration of five unique wines led by one of their seasoned wine specialists.
Available Friday-Sunday at 10:30am, 1pm, and 3pm; on Mondays at 10:30am and 1pm.
$60 per guest; $48 for wine club members.

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Winners annouced from the 2024 Press Democrat
North Coast Wine Challenge!  
Imagery takes home three Best of Class and Best of Show Rosé!
• Best of Show Rosé and Best of Class:
 2023 Imagery Estate Winery Aleatico Rosé
• Best of Class: 2022 Imagery Estate Winery Primitivo
• Best of Class: 2021 Imagery Estate Winery Sangiovese

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Bocce & Bottle Service

Gather friends and family to savor a glass of one of Imagery’s unique wines while you enjoy a private game of bocce at their recently renovated lawn area. Your experience is hosted by a knowledgeable wine specialist who will share insights into their uncommon varietals, blends, and artwork. Available Thursday-Monday from 10:30am. Reservations required. $50 per guest; $40 for wine club members. Includes one glass of wine per person. Additional wine and food options are available for purchase in the tasting room or pack a picnic as outside food is allowed.