A wine lover with a background in farming, Jim founded Knights Bridge in 2006 with a group of family and friends. Prior to adopting the title of “vintner,” his diverse career ranged from investment and financial advisor to environmental entrepreneur. He formed Cambridge Associates in 1973 to provide investment and financial planning services to nonprofit, endowed institutions; his alma mater, Harvard University, was his first client. Jim also co-founded Plymouth Rock Co., a New England auto and homeowners’ insurance company. Jim and Kelley enjoy spending time with their six grandchildren at the Knights Bridge estate.

Kelley brings more than three decades of wine industry experience, vision, and leadership to Knights Bridge Winery. A New York native, she began her career in 1987 at Bridgehampton Winery on Long Island and joined Jackson Family Wines in 1993. By 2007, as Executive Vice President of Marketing, she worked closely with founders Jess Jackson and Barbara Banke to shape brand strategy. In 2011, Kelley became President of the Spire Collection, JFW’s luxury portfolio. While guiding Knights Bridge, Kelley continues to serve in an advisory role to the Banke-Jackson family and senior leadership at Jackson Family Wines.

Mark has held leadership roles in the wine industry for more than three decades, including 23 years at Jackson Family Wines. At Knights Bridge, he oversees everything from viticulture and winemaking to sales, marketing, and the guest experience. He has also led DTC and hospitality teams at Sterling Vineyards and Rodney Strong Wine Estates. A Certified Specialist of Wine and Level 1 Master Sommelier, Mark serves on boards including the Sonoma County Vintners, Sonoma County Hospitality Association and Santa Rosa Junior College Wine Studies Advisory Board. He holds a BA in Marketing and an MBA, both from Sonoma State University.

Laura’s luxury wine marketing experience includes leadership roles with Scheid Family Wines, PEJU Napa Valley, Foley Family Wines, Wente Vineyards, and Willamette Valley Vineyards. As Senior Director of Marketing at Jackson Family Wines from 2003 to 2009, Laura collaborated with Kelley Bailey. Originally from Oregon, Laura was previously a mezzo-soprano with the Portland Symphonic Choir and the San Francisco Symphony Chorus. She has served as Board Chair of The Healdsburg School, as well as the board of the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association, and has advised the Santa Barbara County Vintners, New Zealand Winegrowers, and Wines of Chile. 

A California native and former Division I football captain, Derek was the first UC Davis student-athlete to earn a Master’s in Viticulture and Enology directly after his bachelor’s in the same field. His graduate research at the legendary To Kalon Vineyard focused on phenolic development and canopy management. He later worked at Silverado Farming, practicing viticulture for premier Napa Valley wineries, and as enologist for Trinchero Family Estates’ luxury portfolio, before joining Knights Bridge in 2019. Derek has studied at the University of Bordeaux and completed Sonoma State’s Wine Executive MBA and Napa Valley Vintners’ Leadership Program.

John studied Political Science and History at Harvard College, where he earned All-American honors as a distance swimmer on the Crimson Swim Team, and a university wine seminar sparked his interest in the family business. After graduation, John worked with Doctors Without Borders in Lesvos, Greece, teaching English to displaced children and creating a refugee-camp sports program. He later spent four years in investment consulting and real estate in New York City before joining Knights Bridge in 2021. While focused on sales and marketing most of the year, John relishes working harvests alongside Winemaker Derek Baljeu and Cellar Master Rafael Gonzalez.