About Spottswoode Estate Vineyard & Winery
Spottswoode Estate Vineyard & Winery is a historic family property on the western edge of St. Helena. The estate includes a Victorian home, pre-Prohibition winery buildings, gardens and a vineyard that has been under Novak family stewardship since 1972. Visits are intentionally limited, giving the property a residential and agricultural atmosphere rather than the feel of a commercial tasting center.
The standard estate visit introduces Spottswoode Sauvignon Blanc, Lyndenhurst Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and Spottswoode Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. A deeper library and barrel experience adds an older vintage and a barrel sample, allowing guests to examine how the flagship wine develops over time. The tasting remains focused rather than broad, reflecting the estate's small portfolio and allocation-driven model.
Every visit begins with an appointment request. Completing the form does not guarantee a reservation; the winery reviews availability and confirms accepted appointments in writing. The Estate Tour and Tasting includes the vineyard, historic property and current wines. The Then and Now experience is designed for guests who want library depth and a barrel component.
The estate sits within St. Helena rather than behind a large highway gate. Gardens, vineyard rows and historic buildings create an intimate setting tied to the family's home. The limited guest count allows direct conversation but also means the winery cannot function as a spontaneous itinerary stop. Visitors should follow arrival instructions carefully because the property retains a private-estate character.
Spottswoode is best for collectors, Cabernet enthusiasts and guests who appreciate a focused family-estate visit. Request the appointment well ahead and wait for written confirmation before adding it to the day. Confirm duration, guest limits and the specific wines included. Visitors need to understand that the estate is visitable but not generally open to the public.
George Schonewald's 1882 St. Helena estate, renamed Spottswoode and revived by the Novak family's 1982 Cabernet debut.
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Named for a widow's memorial,the estate takes its name from Mrs. Albert Spotts, who renamed the property in honor of her late husband decades after Schonewald first built the Victorian home.
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Organic before it was common,Spottswoode became the first Napa Valley vineyard farmed organically in 1985, years ahead of the sustainability movement that later swept the valley.
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Neighbors who encouraged the leap,the Novak family sold grapes to nearby producers like Shafer and Duckhorn before John Shafer himself encouraged them to bottle their own wine in 1982.
"Wino Notion likes the intimate connection among the historic home, gardens, vineyard and small portfolio. Spottswoode feels like a visit to a family estate rather than a public hospitality campus."
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Featured Wines
Current Releases
Wines change with each vintage
For an accurate list of current-release wines and library bottlings from Spottswoode Estate Vineyard & Winery, please check the winery's official website or contact the tasting room directly. St. Helena producers typically rotate vintages and offerings seasonally.
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Victorian Estate Appointment
Appointment at California's first organically farmed winery (1985), estate Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc from the 1882 Victorian farmhouse on St. Helena's Madrona Avenue western benchland, guided by the female-stewardship tradition that Mary Novak established and Beth Novak Milliken continues.
$75
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