Christine Bender

Christine was born and raised in Western Austria. After completing an apprenticeship in commerce, and finding the small town too confining, Christine adventured to Bilbao, Spain and spent a year living with a family, and teaching German to their four children. Then followed a year spent in Geneva to learn French. Having decided to enter the hospitality industry, proficiency in English was a must.  As several hometown friends had settled in Ketchum and encouraged a move, Christine applied for a US visa, and landed in Ketchum in April of 1967. Although the intent was to stay for one year, plans changed as plans will, and after 57 years, Ketchum is still home.

From 1973 to 1994 Christine owned and managed ‘The Christiania’ Resaurant. The decision to retire didn’t quite turn out as envisioned, and in 1997 she took over the management of S&C Wines which had been founded by good friend and mentor Jim Cimino. She purchased the business in 2000 and has been hands on owner and manager ever since.

Now, as she joins the esteemed Hayden Family in February of 2024, Christine eagerly anticipates this exciting new chapter, brimming with promise and potential.

• Favorite sport to watch:    LPGA
• Favorite sport/activity to do:    Fly-fishing
• Favorite car you owned:    One that always started
• Favorite food:    Wienerschnitzel (salami & cheese a close second)
• Favorite breakfast cereal:    Espresso
• Favorite band/artist:    Anything between Bach and Vivaldi
• Favorite book (s):    Winter’s Tale
• 4pm on a Saturday afternoon – what is your favorite place to be?    My back yard in summer
• Favorite bar or restaurant not in Idaho:    Plachutta – Vienna
• Favorite place to pitch a tent in Idaho:    A closely guarded secret, but Cutthroat must be present
• One item on your bucket list:    A month in Sicily