SPOTTSWOODE WINERY

SPOTTSWOODE WINERY:

Spottswoode family has been growing winegrapes on our historic Spottswoode Estate since 1972, and making our own wines since 1982. As stewards of our land, we pursue an elegant, balanced, and age-worthy style that captures the character of the vintage and the complexity of our legendary estate vineyard.

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.