Barbara Banke graduated from UCLA in 1975 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. In 1978 she earned a JD at Hastings Law School in San Francisco. Following her graduation, she worked for a law firm that specialized in land use and constitutional law. She later established her own practice, and during her 12 years practicing law, Banke took on a number of landmark cases that were argued in the United States Supreme Court and in several Courts of Appeal.

Barbara and Jess have managed Kendall-Jackson together since its early inception and continue to do so today. In addition to the winery, they have three children - who are all involved in some aspect with Jackson Family Wines.

Despite running a challenging business, Banke manages to take an active role in California community philanthropic efforts, focusing on the needs of children. Education is a high priority for Barbara and Jess, and together they helped build the Sonoma Country Day School in Santa Rosa. Banke is also a founding board member of the Sonoma Academy campus, an exceptional independent high school in Santa Rosa founded in 2005. She is also the co-founder of Sonoma Paradiso, the 3rd largest wine-country charity in the United States.