x
  • Weather

    10° C Light rain
  • Time

    09:04 AM
  • Wine average?

    94 Tb
  • Country Ranking?

    71
  • Region Ranking?

    58
  • Popularity ranking?

    209

History

Estate Overview

Spottswoode is a family-owned historic vineyard and winery renowned for its exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon. Established in 1882 by George Schonewald, the estate is distinguished by the pre-prohibition Victorian home depicted on the wine label. Spottswoode was christened by Mrs. Albert Spotts in 1910 and it was 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 oversees national marketing. Every year four wines are released: Spottswoode Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Spottswoode Sauvignon Blanc, Lyndenhurst Cabernet Sauvignon, and Field Book Syrah. The Novak family is committed to producing wines with integrity that faithfully reflect their grape origins, and Spottswoode wines are especially known for their refined elegance, balance, and classic structure.

Historic Buildings & Winery

The Estate has three historic buildings that were originally built circa 1884–1885. The Colonial Revival-style, with its famous stone pillar entry gates and the elegant “Spottswoode” letters that arc over the driveway, is surrounded by formal gardens with plants that date back to the same era! The Victorian farmhouse now serves as our winery office and the Kraft Cellar is a pre-Prohibition stone building where our Cabernet Sauvignon is barrel-aged. We’ve added a tasting room and a state-of-the-art winery, each designed to honor the historic nature of our buildings.

 

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Vineyards

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 berries to ripen slowly.

Our forty acres are planted primarily to Cabernet Sauvignon, with small blocks of Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Sauvignon Blanc. We have organically farmed our grapes since 1985, and our vineyard was certified organic in 1992. The roles of winemaking and vineyard management are very 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, with its famous stone pillar entry gates and the elegant “Spottswoode” letters that arc over the driveway, is surrounded by formal gardens with plants that date back to the same era! The Victorian farmhouse now serves as our winery office and the Kraft Cellar is a pre-Prohibition stone building where our Cabernet Sauvignon is barrel-aged. We’ve added a tasting room and a state-of-the-art winery, each designed to honor the historic nature of our buildings.

 

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Winemaking

Organic Vineyard

We are among the first wineries to have adopted organics, having farmed our vineyard organically since 1985 and acquired California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) certification in 1992. Our commitment to producing the highest quality wines is evidenced by the amount of time we spend in the vineyard. We recently planted our youngest block in soil refreshed with the installation of tightly spaced sub-surface drainage, a system that drains spring rainwater to allow timely root growth in optimum conditions. We’ve also introduced a modified trellis system with tighter vine spacing. These efforts increase control over canopy growth and improve fruit conditions, resulting in more highly concentrated grapes.

We work closely with biodynamic specialists to broaden our farming techniques that help promote a living, breathing ecosystem. We also restored a riparian corridor that sustains an important ecological balance in our community.

Sustainable Soil

Alluvial, clay loam soil is one of Spottswoode’s greatest assets. To enrich it, we plant cover crops such as vetch, peas, clover, and oats every fall. We have also reduced tillage and are re-establishing native California grasses in the vineyard. These practices feed the soil, encourage a healthy rhizosphere, and reduce the need for inputs. We also embrace biodynamic principals, including composting, bringing in animals, and incorporating the lunar calendar. We’re excited by the resulting success in diversity, rich soil, and abundance of earthworms!

Ecological Insect Control

We maintain a variety of flowering plants along the vineyard border to provide habitats for beneficial bugs that prey on undesirable insects. We also built nesting boxes for native birds, including bluebirds, green-winged swallows, and owls that feast on insects and rodents and encourage diversity.

Natural Weed Management

Controlling weeds organically requires patient innovation. We eschew the use of synthetic and organic herbicides, focusing instead on natural alternatives. In creating a sustainable, bio-diverse environment, we’ve learned to accept a landscape made imperfect by small, well-managed weeds.

 

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Inside information

Copyright © Spottswoode Estate Vineyard & Winery

Copyright © Thomas Heinser

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