Spottswoode is one of Napa Valley’s most admired family-owned wineries, celebrated for its dedication to Cabernet Sauvignon and its pioneering role in sustainable viticulture. The estate traces its history back to 1882, when German immigrant George Schonewald planted vines on a property in St. Helena that would later become Spottswoode. In 1972, Jack and Mary Novak purchased the estate, replanting vineyards and laying the foundations for what is now one of Napa’s benchmark producers.
The modern chapter of Spottswoode is inseparable from the Novak family. Following Jack’s sudden death in 1977, Mary Novak took the reins and guided the winery through its formative years, releasing the first Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon in 1982. Today, her daughters Beth and Lindy carry the legacy forward, with Beth Novak Milliken serving as president and CEO. Their stewardship has kept Spottswoode firmly family-driven, rooted in a vision of quality, stewardship, and authenticity.
The estate vineyard covers 50 acres at the foot of the Mayacamas Mountains in St. Helena. Certified organic since 1992, it was among the first vineyards in Napa to adopt such practices, a reflection of Spottswoode’s forward-thinking ethos. The vineyard’s gravelly, alluvial soils and cool evening breezes create conditions that favour wines of elegance and balance over sheer power. Alongside Cabernet Sauvignon, small amounts of Sauvignon Blanc and Syrah are planted, further diversifying the portfolio.
Winemaking at Spottswoode combines meticulous care with a light touch. Long-time winemaker Aron Weinkauf continues the tradition of crafting Cabernet Sauvignon that is structured, aromatic, and ageworthy, but never heavy-handed. The Sauvignon Blanc, produced since 1984, has become a cult favourite in its own right, widely recognised as one of California’s finest white wines. Across the board, the style is marked by purity, freshness, and an emphasis on expressing the character of the estate’s vineyards.
Spottswoode’s reputation rests on more than just its wines. The estate has been a leader in sustainability, from vineyard practices to energy use, and has consistently championed environmental responsibility within Napa. Its history, female leadership, and unwavering pursuit of excellence have made it not just a winery, but a symbol of resilience and innovation. Today, Spottswoode remains a standard-bearer for what Napa can achieve when heritage, family, and a respect for nature converge.