Kimberly Smith first pursued a business education at Santa Barbara Business College, Santa Maria, completing it in 1998. This was followed in 2006 by courses in the Wine Business program at Allan Hancock College. This led her to a meeting with winemaker Wes Hagen and an internship at his winery, Clos Pepe Vineyard. Hagen mentored Kimberly over a period of some three years.

In 2010, Kimberly opened her own winery, LaMontagne Winery, where she produces Malvesia, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah, among other varietals. Her aim is to make “multilayered,” unadulterated wines. In her own words, “I try to make wine that is as pure as possible right out of the vineyard.” Alec, one of her five children who was all of 13-years-old when he first learned about the process, assists in the winery.