Organic and Biodynamic

Napa Green Vineyard Certified

Napa Green Winery Certified

Demeter Organic Certified

Winemaker Notes

Deep garnet in color, it comes bounding out of the glass with exuberant notes of blackberry pie, plum preserves, and warm cassis followed by suggestions of roses, Indian spices, and menthol plus a waft of aniseed. The medium-bodied palate has impressive energy, with great tension and fine-grained tannins supporting the vibrant fruit, leading to a long and perfumed finish on this impressive wine.

Blend: 79.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10.6% Merlot, 3.8% Petit Verdot, 3.5% Cabernet Franc, and 2.9% Malbec

James Suckling 94 Points

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points

About Spottswoode Winery

FAMILY WINE ESTATE

Established in 1882, Spottswoode Estate is distinguished by the pre-Prohibition Victorian home depicted on our wine label. Spottswoode was christened by Mrs. Albert Spotts in 1910 and later acquired by Mary and Jack Novak in 1972. Mary released Spottswoode’s first Cabernet Sauvignon in 1982, exactly one hundred years after the estate’s founding.

Today, Mary’s daughter Beth Novak Milliken manages the winery, and daughter Lindy Novak serves as the winery’s Marketing Ambassador. Every year Spottswoode releases an Estate Cabernet Sauvignon and an Estate Sauvignon Blanc. In addition, Spottswoode produces a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon called Lyndenhurst, a dual-appellation Spottswoode Sauvignon Blanc, and a limited-production Field Book Syrah. Committed to producing wines with integrity that faithfully reflect their grape origins, Spottswoode wines are especially known for their refined elegance, balance, and classic structure.

Estate Vineyard

Situated on the western edge of St. Helena at the foot of the Mayacamas mountains, the Spottswoode terroir is ideal for growing fine wine grapes. The alluvial clay loam from the Sulphur Creek fan provides superb drainage while cool maritime breezes passing through the gap between Spring Mountain and the Mayacamas range, allow the fruit to ripen slowly.

Our forty-two acres are planted primarily to Cabernet Sauvignon, with small blocks of Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Sauvignon Blanc. We have farmed our grapes organically since 1985, and our vineyard was certified organic (CCOF) in 1992. The roles of winemaking and vineyard management are integrated at Spottswoode, and the individual attention given to each vineyard block contributes to the consistent quality and unique characteristics of our wines.

Historic Buildings & Winery

The Estate has three historic buildings that were originally built circa 1884–1885. The Colonial Revival-style residence, with its famous “Spottswoode” arch over the stone pillar entry, is surrounded by formal gardens with plants that date back to the 1880s. The Victorian farmhouse serves as our office and tasting room, and the Kraft Cellar is a pre-Prohibition stone building where our Cabernet Sauvignon is barrel-aged. In 1999, Howard Backen designed the new winery in a style that honors the historic nature of our buildings.

Organic and Biodynamic

As one of the first wineries to achieve both Napa Green Vineyard and Winery certifications, Spottswoode’s commitment to exceptional environmental stewardship goes beyond certifications and includes climate action, advocacy, organic, biodynamic and regenerative farming, as well as social equity, justice and inclusion.

One of the first wineries to have adopted organics, Spottswoode has farmed organically since 1985. Our vineyard earned California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) certification in 1992.