Longtime Benziger executive Mark Burningham to retire at end of 2018

Benziger Winery senior executive Mark Burningham will be retiring from the company at the end of December.

Burningham, 62, worked 31 harvests for Benziger and, most recently, held the title of executive vice president of North Coast Operations.

Burningham started working with the Benziger family in 1984 warehousing and transporting their wines. When the Glen Ellen brand was sold in 1993, he became the GM overseeing operations from the vineyard to the bottle. He held the role of vice president of operations when the Wine Group purchased Benziger Family Winery and Imagery Estate Winery in 2015.

Most recently, Burningham served as partner and vice president of winegrowing. He was responsible for managing the grape supply for Benziger Family Winery’s contracted vineyards and the Farming for Flavors Certified Sustainable Grape Growing Program.

Burmingham and the Benziger family have long been known as a generous supporters of Sonoma Valley schools.

“As general manager of Benziger Family Winery for many years, Mark was always committed to supporting Sonoma schools,” said family friend and school advocate Laura Stanfield. “Countless school fundraisers have benefited from Benziger wine and venue donations.”

Burningham and his family live in Sonoma.