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Spottswoode Winery
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Spottswoode is a family-owned historic vineyard and winery whose cornerstone is its estate vineyard, a very special piece of land. The same things for which we strive in our grapes and wines - balance, grace, integrity and the highest quality - we also strive for in every aspect of our business. We place the highest priority on our relationships with others, and we show the same respect for our environment by being responsible stewards of the Spottswoode Estate - its land and historic buildings. Our aim is to produce classic wines that faithfully reflect their grape origins in a distinct, refined style - in short, wines that are worthy to stand among those of the world's great wine estates. Spottswoode is located on the western edge of St. Helena in Napa Valley. The 46-acre estate, established in 1882 by George Schonewald, is distinguished by the historic Victorian home depicted on the label. Classic formal gardens grace the entrance to the house, while the 40-acre vineyard stretches behind to the Mayacamas Mountains. Schonewald, who was an early pioneer of viticulture in the Napa Valley, is responsible for developing the original estate vineyard. Owned by the Novak family, Spottswoode was given its name by Mr. and Mrs. Albert Spotts, who owned the estate from 1910 until it was purchased in 1972 by Mary Weber Novak and her late husband, Dr. Jack Novak. The Victorian home was restored and the original pre-prohibition vineyards were replanted at this time. The first Cabernet Sauvignon was produced in 1982, exactly one decade after the Novaks' arrival and a century after the estate's founding. The Estate Vineyard is forty acres in size and is planted primarily to Cabernet Sauvignon, with small amounts of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. To be worthy stewards of this special piece of land, we hand tend and organically farm our vineyard. David Abreu has managed the vineyard since 1985, and is assisted by Ranch Foreman Jose Luis Lopez, who has worked with us at Spottswoode since 1982.
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Cabernet Sauvignon
2002 will be noted for being a labor-intensive, low-yield year in the vineyard, with the ensuing wines being aromatic, robust and complex. Vines at Spottswoode pushed early, due to the relatively mild temperatures and low rainfall we experienced in February. The growing season was long and cooperative, with the exception of a couple heat spikes late in the season-typical of our Napa Valley weather patterns. Fog returned to provide those coveted cool mornings in which to pick our Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc grapes. The 2002 Vintage exhibits the characteristics we have come to expect from the Spottswoode Estate - blackberry, clove and baking spices. Rose petal is very prominent from the addition of Cabernet Franc. The tannins are polished yet firm, the wine worthy of further aging.
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Cabernet Sauvignon
The 2003 growing season challenged us with some of the most unusual spring weather we have experienced. Warm, record-breaking March temperatures preceded a wet and cool April. The bumpy spring conditions eventually transitioned into flawless fall weather. This was the essential climatic ingredient needed to delivery beautifully ripe Cabernet Sauvignon. The results are spectacular, the wine age-worthy. Youthful and racy, brimming with blackberry and dark cherry fruit, violets, apple blossoms, chocolate mousse, and spice, with well-integrated tannins and a lovely, polished palate. Patience is requested to fully appreciate this elegant vintage.
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Sauvignon Blanc
This year's bottling is a wonderful combination of Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Musque and Semillon. The early arrival of spring and budbreak was fortuitously frost-free, allowing for perfect canopies and beautifully formed delicious clusters. We continue to be impressed by our new planting (all one acre of it!) of Sauvignon Blanc at the estate and the contribution it makes to the finished wine. A crisp minerality defines this vintage, rounded out by melon, tangerine and beeswax. Our thanks to the Frediani, Hyde, and Tofanelli families for supporting us in our effort to make a concentrated yet classic rendition of this varietal.
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Sauvignon Blanc
The 2005 vintage offered all the components needed to make a stylish Sauvignon Blanc. Moderate daytime temperatures followed by cool nights were the norm throughout the months of fruit ripening, maintaining a fresh varietal signature. We always cherish the arrival of Indian Summer -- shorter, temperate days allowing us to stretch the time needed for optimal fruit maturity.
The results of an outstanding growing season are in this year's offering, a sophisticated combination of Sauvignon Blanc and Sauvignon Musque. Floral gardenia, candlewax, wet stone, succulent fig, and exotic lemongrass characterize the vintage. The finish is alive with a crisp minerality, yet it is also creamy and rich.
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