Spottswoode

Spottswoode is one of the oldest wineries in the United States, with a history that dates back to 1882. It all began when the Schonewald family purchased land in St. Helena to create a summer retreat, where they also planted nearly 7 hectares of grapevines.

Two years later, a portion of this vineyard was sold to the Kraft family, who constructed a Victorian-style farmhouse on the property. They also established a wine cellar and began producing wine under the name Old Kraft. Both the farmhouse and the wine cellar remain in use by Spottswoode today. The Spottswoode Estate Cabernet Sauvignon barrels are aged in the cellar, while the farmhouse serves as an office.

On the land that the Schonewald family retained, they built a stunning Victorian-style home, which continues to grace the Spottswoode wine labels. The estate remained in the Schonewald family until 1906, when it was sold to Joseph Bliss. However, two years later, Bliss sold it to Dr. George Allen, who renamed the estate Lyndenhurst. Today, Lyndenhurst is the name of Spottswoode’s wine made from the younger vines.

The Allen family also owned the estate for only two years before selling it to Susan Spotts, who renamed it Spottswoode. This time, the estate remained in the Spotts family for several generations, until it was sold in 1972 to the Novak family, who still own Spottswoode today.

Jack and Mary Novak purchased the estate to provide a serene environment for raising their five children. They acquired an additional 6 hectares of adjacent land and decided to replant the vineyards with Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and Sauvignon Blanc.

Sadly, Jack Novak passed away unexpectedly in 1977. However, Mary chose to stay and pursue their shared dream. She took over the management of the vineyards and successfully completed their first harvest. At this time, the grapes were sold to renowned wineries like Duckhorn, Robert Mondavi, and the Shafer family. The grapes were of such exceptional quality that John Shafer encouraged Mary to produce her own wine.

Mary hired Tony Soter as a winemaking consultant, and in 1982, they produced the first vintage of Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon, with a production of 1,200 cases. The wines immediately garnered acclaim, but Tony Soter aimed to elevate the vineyards further. In 1985, he began converting the vineyards to organic farming—a practice that was uncommon at the time. By 1992, Spottswoode received official certification for organic farming.

In 1987, Mary’s daughter Beth joined Spottswoode, and in 1998, she took over her mother’s role as CEO. In 1992, Beth’s sister Lindy also joined the family business, taking charge of sales.

Over the years, as Tony retired, Rosemary Cakebread became the winemaker at Spottswoode, followed by Jennifer Williams, and today, Aron Weinkauf holds the position. Beth continues to serve as CEO, with Lindy overseeing marketing.

Throughout the years, Spottswoode has remained an oasis of tranquility. The vineyards are still farmed organically, and the estate is home to chickens, goats, pigs, beehives, and numerous birdhouses. While nature remains their top priority, they continue to innovate in winemaking, consistently producing some of the finest wines in Napa Valley for over 50 years.