This is a special winery. History abounds on this beautiful slice of St Helena. Outstanding red and white wine, a grand tour, and beautiful grounds and buildings await. Sadly they sell out quickly, so back vintages are not to be had :( Add some Cab and Sauv Blanc now. You'll thank me later. read more

See all

We had a great tasting here! The property itself is beautiful - and surprisingly not that far from downtown St. Helena. Their front lawn boasts one of the tallest palm trees (see photo), beautiful gardens, and a lovely porch were we sat for our tasting. Our host was wonderful, and walked us through the wines we tasted - Sauvignon Blanc, the Lyndhurst Cab, and the Estate Cab. They were all good - however the Estate was my favorite. I loved that our tasting was very quiet (no one else tasting at the same time/that we saw), and were able to ask questions and enjoy the experience. read more

See all

This is the best winery out there. I've been drinking the Spottswoode since I was freshly 21 - my mom took me to their annual garden party at the estate and I had the most incredible time. That was a few years ago but I'm just realized I've never written a review for the winery so I had to sit down and write one now. The wines themselves are incredible - my first favorite wine was Mary's Block but I've recently taken to the Sauv Blan and 2021 Cab Sav. The garden party was the cutest thing ever and so much fun - they had tables set up around the garden with various wines and appetizers that paired with each wine. The family of the winery are truly so kind and approachable and they really care about good wine and good company. Such a down to earth family who make really really exquisite wines. My mom has a reserved section in her little wine cellar for her Spottswoode shipments. For my mom's birthday one year I emailed asking if they had an online store that I could order some merch from and they said they didn't have any merch but sent us a free branded wine opener and some stopper which we use religiously. I couldn't have more great things to say about this winery. I've been to their garden party multiple years and most recently attended their event at the Palm House in the Brooklyn Botanical Garden - what a lovely day! I took a strong liking to the sauvignon blanc and the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon. The fieldbook was also supurb - tbh they were all incredible. I only wish the event lasted longer I had such fun. The vibes were so great and the food was incredible. I had maybe ten oysters? They went really really well with the Marys block. read more

See all

I have been trying for months to get a tasting here, always busy but I am not sure why. Overrated for sure and definitely overpriced. $150 for only 3 wines. My tour guide Gustavo was so monotone and not much personality. I felt like just he just memorized everything, which made it so boring and uncomfortable, since I did tasting alone. I'm not sure what the hype on this place is all about to be honest. I have done a lot of tastings in Napa / Sonoma for less money and a much better vibe. I just don't understand the price for what you get. read more

It was the combination of the great tour and then the actually very good wine that gets the 5 stars. Yianni was our tasting guide and took us on an amazing tour of the grounds, vineyard, and old house. He was so knowledgeable and just had great information to share about the winery and just wine and growing grapes in general. We had 3 different wines after the tour, and honestly I'm not usually too impressed with some of the wines from Napa, it's like $200+ a bottle and doesn't taste much different than something you'd get for under $50. The Spottswoode cab was different, yeah it's $225 but amazing character and flavor already and will just cellar beautifully I'm sure. The sauv blanc was also very impressive, not usually into oak but the small amount of oak in it really added a great character. Great winery and actually was a fan of the top cab which is rare, but this one was worth it. I put it up there with the Ridge Monte Bello from the same year and any other top can. read more

Spottswoode Winery - Wines, cab was excellent. - Wineries Near Me - Saint Helena, California

1999 Spottswoode Cabernet. You must read my review to really understand the love I have for this winery, it's wines and there owners. Not Enough Stars to Rate this Place! Cheers read more

Spottswoode Winery - Spottswoode Vineyards - Wineries Near Me - Saint Helena, California

Over rated cabs. Just not that worthy of Napa Valley. Quality went way down since passing of Mary Novak.

Did not disappoint. Even though it was a miserable weather day with the rain/ the beauty of the property, home and the inviting greeting by Estelle our hostess, could not have made the day brighter. I have been trying to visit this winery for 30 years but something always came up. Mary Beth Novak the wife of the founder Jack, passed away last year and I wish I could have met this lovely and tenacious woman. From all that I have heard she has a focus on delivering the best wines possible, a desire on furthering growth of women in the industry and organic disciplines of winemaking. The team I watched share that same vision. Estelle, born in France, has a thorough knowledge of the business and is an engaging person. I felt the warmth of the Spottswoode team throughout my visit and the love they have for what Ms. Novak created. The tastings of the Sauvignon blanc, lyndenhurst red and the awesome 2013 cab demonstrated finesse, balance and the care the winemaking team has to deliver the best product for what the earth produces that year. An enjoyable day, coupled with a casual stroll to the home, and a great exchange of experiences with Estelle was a memorable experience. Make this a must for a wine trip. read more

My wife and I and another couple visited on Friday. OMG! This was one of the best wine tasting experiences I have ever had! I am a veteran of wine tastings in both Napa and Sonoma and this one was perfect! Samantha (is she the nicest person you will ever talk to on the phone?), Yianni and team treated us so well and in such an understated way. The setting is beautiful (how about the amazing palm trees and 250 year old oak tree!) and the wines are truly to die for. Yianni did a great job walking us through each of the wines we were tasting. We started with the 2019 Sauvignon Blanc which always receives rave reviews and finished with the 2017 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon which was one of the best I have tasted in many years. Oh BTW the 2016 and 2015 cabs received 100 point scores from the Wine Advocate! This was truly a magical experience! read more

We are delighted to have found this winery in St Helena. We were a bit early for our 10 AM tasting and so we wandered their beautiful valley floor property. We met Nicole just before10 and set out on time. We walked to the owner's home and toured her gardens and then viewed the vineyard. Eventually the late arrivals caught up with us. After the 40 minute tour we sat in their tasting room for the wines. Nicole was knowledgable and charming. Our conversation took some interesting turns to regulating the internet. Suffice it to say there were differences of opinion from the internet dot.com millionaires (celebrating a bachelor party) and the lawyer and policy wonk from DC whose passion is internet access and fair hiring laws. Nicole 'ghosted' in and out as the conversation got more animated. Really just a great experience and an eerie coincidence to have all those folks in the same room. It was a wine experience I will never forget. Great Cabernets at Spottswoode. Beautiful tour and tasting. Nicole handled all the 'personalities' with grace and charm. read more

Absolutely wonderful family that owns this place and the wine club has great perks! Their garden party is such a great event! Their sauvignon blanc is delightful and the grounds are gorgeous. I like this place because it is somewhat off the beaten path compared to larger wineries in the area and, therefore, is more peaceful and attracts a more local crowd. read more

We had the best time on our wine tour today. Nicole was so knowledgeable and friendly, really knows her stuff! We were able to see the grounds, the family home and their facilities! It was one of the best tours, it it first class! read more

See all

Hot day. One week before the horrible fires. Our tour guide was a young man who had to be only 30 at most. He had his own hat, his own water bottle and led us on a long hot dusty walk, no offer of water. I was not dressed for a long walk, I'm going to elegant wineries. We are all in our 50's or older and visit many wineries, two parties in group are on their list, and our group buys wine, and while the grounds are beautiful and wine excellent, less chatting, an offer of water (that our host had for himself)and quicker time to tasting would have made this experience better. Bring your own water , hat and tasting food. read more

I came here unexpectedly to try to pickup some Sauvignon ; the winery was actually closed during Labor Day week end but James ,assistant wine maker , host me and I was able to buy a few bottles of Sauvignon that I was looking for . 2 thumbs up; this is all about what to should be a wine country :a sharing welcoming awesome experience . read more

This was our first winery tour and second tasting in Napa and we were not disappointed. This was a perfect example of a small, family-owned winery. The owner lives on the property in a beautiful Victorian mansion -- we actually got to see this 80+ woman pull away in her fancy Benz. Can't remember the exact story, but I recall that the owner and her husband had 4 kids. After they dropped everything and moved to Napa, the husband still in his 40s had a heart attack and died. She was left alone to raise the kids and run the winery. I'm so glad we decided to tour this place, because the guide gave the tour a personal touch, with interesting with tidbits of current family stories and the history of the trials running a successful winery. The grounds are beautiful, and the cellar and winery are spotless. Makes you appreciate the labor of love that goes into each bottle and why wines such as these are more pricey than others. We are a lifetime fan! Reservations are a must as they only do maybe two tours a week. Tasting and tour costs $25 per person. After a thorough and informative tour, you are given generous pours. We had a tasting of their 2010 Sauvignon Blanc, 2008 Lyndenhurst, and 2008 Cabernet. read more

As far as winery experiences go, this one was just ok. Our 90 minute tour/tasting, included a 75 min tour and a quick taste of 3 wines. While our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and pleasant, the experience was impersonal and underwhelming. Not terrible, but in an area with many alternatives, not one I'd recommend either. read more

I had high expectations for my visit at Spottswoode. It didn't help that I arrived 20 minutes late due to traffic and missed the walk-around tour of the beautiful mansion. Our tour guide wasn't particularly enthusiastic. She basically walked us around the property and said, "Here's this. Here's that...." I didn't feel like it was a very intimate experience for them only offering two tours a week. Back at the tasting room, we tasted 3 wines- sauvignon blanc, and two cabs. The wines were good and we ended up buying the sav blanc (even though I am a red wine person). Overall, this place is nice, but it could be better and I feel there are many other wineries that will give you a better experience in addition to great wine. read more

Spottswoode is a family owned winery in a beautiful location not too far from downtown Saint Helena, the wines are wonderful.

Outstanding estate Cabernet. Great winery and tour. This is a nice small winery located basically in town.

Amazing family winery in a beautiful location. The Estate Cab was delicious and Estelle was a great tour guide It's a must see.

Loved Spottswoode! You have to really enjoy the history of this winery - ghost winery! Nicole did a great job showing us the grounds, the original house, and describing the vineyards. No cost for the tasting as long as you buy 6 bottles -well worth it. One of our new favorites! read more

This is a true family owned, historic winery on the west side of St Helena in the Napa Valley. One of the oldest Napa wineries, it was established in 1882. The estate is distinguished by the historic Victorian home portrayed on their wine labels. Founder, Mary Novak was a vital part of the fabric of Napa Valley and its wine community since 1972. Her intelligence, sense of humor, humility, and vivacious personality continues to be felt here and to inspires all at Spottswoode. Today, the winery is managed by her two daughters Beth Novak Milliken and Lindy Novak. The family produces a small portfolio of 4 delicious varietals, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon and a miniscule amount of Syrah and Albarino. Their hospitality and tasting room is in a quaint Victorian farmhouse nestled amongst the vines. Truly an intimate Napa winery experience with exceptional wines--very well worth your time, and well worth 5 stars! read more