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Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen | Robb Report
Proceeds from Spottswoode’s 40-bottle offering will go to an organization that supports sustainable winemaking practices.
Celebrating the history of Napa icon Spottswoode’s Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Christie’s is presenting a remarkable vertical of all 40 vintages produced, from 1982 through 2021. Sourced straight from the cellar of the Novak family, Spottswoode’s owners since 1972, this one-of-a-kind piece of Napa Valley history is expected to bring in between $10,000 and $20,000. Part of Christie’s upcoming Fine & Rare Wines Online: L.A. Edition auction, with bidding open from September 4 to September 18, the seller proceeds will be donated by the Novak family to Napa Green, a sustainable winegrowing program that sets vineyard certification standards focusing on climate action, regenerative carbon farming, and social equity.
Featuring one standard bottle of every vintage made, this lot offers collectors the chance to appreciate the progression and maturation of Spottswoode’s signature bottling across four decades. The lot also includes an invitation to attend the winery’s annual vertical tasting in St. Helena on Monday November 10 hosted by proprietor Beth Novak and winemaker Aron Weinkauf, the first time this tasting will be open to a person not in the wine trade. Chris Munro, Christie’s head of wine, says, “This truly unique lot is a one-off chance to purchase all 40 vintages produced at the property with perfect provenance, coming directly from the Novak family reserves. For any collector of Spottswoode or indeed Napa wine in general this is such a special lot.” Munro also tells Robb Report that Spottswoode Estate Cabernet is seen regularly at auction in North America, often coming from the collections of some of Christie’s most knowledgeable consignors. “The wines have a dedicated following and when mature vintages come to the block we see some serious competition.”
Founded in 1882 and acquired by the Novak family in 1972, Spottswoode has been farmed organically since 1985, transitioned to biodynamic farming in 2008, and received Regenerative Organic farming certification in 2022. Winemaker Aron Weinkauf explains that this makes the vineyard healthier and aids in soil vitality and grape quality, which brings the estate closer to the winemaking ideal of letting the vineyard and the vintage speak. “We welcome vintage variation, which I think is a part of what makes great wine so unique and special, Weinkauf says. “Each vintage of our Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is like a snapshot of our vineyard at a period in time.” Preceded in his role by winemakers Tony Soter, Mia Klein, Pam Starr, Rosemary Cakebread, and Jennifer Williams, Weinkauf, who joined Spottswoode in 2006, says that this lineage of winemaking talent is what makes the 40-vintage lot so interesting. “It encompasses our entire history, and the winning bidder will have the rare opportunity to assess for themselves how our estate vineyard has evolved, how it has performed in each unique growing season, and how each winemaker has contributed to the Spottswoode story,” he says.
Spottswoode was one of the founding members of Napa Green and a team member serves on its board. Spottswoode CEO Beth Novak says the organization’s work relies heavily on government climate funding, much of which has faced recent budget reductions. “In light of this, we are pleased to donate the proceeds from our Christie’s auction lot to Napa Green,” she says. “Our hope is that these funds will help them continue their important ground-level consulting efforts in Napa Valley, leading the way in sustainability and climate action.” As committed to winemaking expertise as they are to vineyard ecology, the Novaks have perfectly cellared every bottle at the estate, ensuring immaculate provenance and condition. There are exceptionally limited quantities on hand from many of the earlier vintages, so this offering represents a truly rare and exclusive collection.
Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen, also known as the World Wine Guys, are wine, spirits, food, and travel writers, educators, and hosts. They have been featured guests on the Today Show, The Martha Stewart Show, Better TV, and the CBS, FOX, and NBC networks. They also write Robb Report’s weekly newsletter The Oeno Files.
🍷 Our last itinerary for Cheers to Climate Smart Wines and it’s a good one! Thank you @frankfamilyvineyards, @aubergedusoleil & @seaveyvineyard!
Follow this itinerary for a stunning day in Napa!
Book your tastings at @napagreen certified @chimneyrockwinery @etudewines and @domainecarneros and stay at the luxurious @carnerosresort for a day that will delight all of your senses!
#visitnapa #winetasting #winetastings #winelover #sustainablewine #wineandfood #winecountry #winecountryliving
If you missed last night’s amazing climate smart wine tasting @klwines you can join us tonight Thursday, July 24 for another great lineup of @napagreen certified wineries @dominusestatewinery @chimneyrockwinery @domainecarneros and @beringervyds
You won’t want to miss this! Ticket link in bio.
#winetasting #winetastings #climatesmartwine #sustainablewine #sustainablewinery
📍Phifer Pavitt Wines in Calistoga!
A gorgeous family winery & vineyard that goes above and beyond in climate smart practices and quality of wine! 🍷
Can’t make it to Napa? Experience climate smart wines @klwines in downtown San Fransisco.
Join us Wednesday, July 23, 2025 to taste wines from @napagreen certified members @spottswoodewinery @pineridgewine @etudewines and @frankfamilyvineyards
You won’t want to miss this! Ticket link in bio.
#winetasting #winetastings #climatesmartwine #sustainablewine #sustainablewinery
Come join us this week at @klwines!! Tickets can be found at the link in our bio. Cheers! 🍷
😍 This one is a gem! Book your tastings at Napa Green Certifed @mummsparkling & @spottswoodewinery and enjoy a stay at the incredible @solageauberge!
Sustainability & Luxury truly make a great pairing. Cheers to Climate Smart Wines! 🍷
🎙️: @mvino1
⚠️ Don’t sleep on this one! Get your $15 tickets to taste INCREDIBLE wines from @spottswoodewinery, @dominusestatewinery, @chimneyrockwinery and many more at @klwines in San Francisco on July 23rd & 24th!
You know where to go ➡️ link in bio or www.napagreen.org. See you there! 🍷
📣 Calling all wine lovers! We’re partnering with some amazing wineries, restaurants and resorts to celebrate Cheers to Climate Smart Wines Month and we’re giving away an incredible ‘Experience Napa Valley Day’ to one lucky winner! 🍷
The winner will receive:
✨A one-night stay at @solageauberge
✨Wine tastings at @seaveyvineyard and @rutherfordhillwinery
✨A gift certificate to @charlies_nv
How to Enter:
1️⃣ Make sure you’re following @napagreen & @visitnapavalley
2️⃣ Like this post
3️⃣ Tag your favorite wine lover in the comments.
🙌 Bonus Entry: Share this post to your stories and tag us!
Giveaway ends Friday, July 18th. Winner will be announced here and contacted via DM by Monday, July 21st.
Legal Terms:
Must be 21+ and a legal resident of the U.S. to enter. Giveaway is not sponsored, endorsed or administered by Instagram. No purchase necessary to enter. Winner will be selected at random and must respond within 48 hours to claim the prize. Travel and additional expenses NOT included.
Good Luck! 🥂
Sustainability is beautiful 🌼
Experience this wine tasting itenerary for yourself on your next trip Napa Valley! 🍷
#sustainabletravel #winetasting #winetrip #napavalley #napawine #climatesmart #winelovers #cheers
Fairy tale like settings? Delicious, ethically & sustainably produced wines? Yes please! 🌸
#visitnapavalley #napavalley #fairytale #winetasting #sustainablewine #cheers #winelovers #winetrip #magicmoments
🎞️: @mvino1
🎟️$15 wine tasting with the winemakers!? Join us at @klwines in San Francisco July 23rd & 24th tasting @spottswoodewinery, @dominusestatewinery, @chimneyrockwinery, @etudewines and many more from 4:00-6:00pm.
Pick up your tickets asap at the link in our bio!
⭐️ Steal this itinerary!
Cheers to Climate Smart Wines Month is back this July and we couldn’t be more excited!
We have built some truly fabulous and sustainable experiences which you can find on www.napagreen.org and this year we have included hotels as well!
Tag us in your posts when you visit our amazing Napa Green Certified wineries so we can share your Green adventures!
Team Green is thoroughly enjoying visiting a few of our Napa Green Certified wineries today! 🌱
Pictured here are the STUNNING new Sky Lofts at @rutherfordhillwinery. We strongly recommend a visit, it’s spectacular!
Wondering what this sign hung outside of the winery that you work at means? Want to be able to talk more about what it means to be @napagreen certified??
Join the Napa Green Ambassador training at Clos du Val on Wednesday, June 25 from 9-11 am to learn the answers and more.
Tickets are free but space is limited so reserve your spot from the Workshops & Events link in our bio.
#climateaction #napagreen #napagreencertified #climatesmartwinery #regenerativeag #regenerativefarming
🍇 Do you want to learn more about what it means to be a Napa Green Certified Vineyard or Winery?
🍇 Do you have new team members who still aren’t sure what that Napa Green Certified sign hanging out front actually means?
🍇 Are you curious about this term that’s suddenly popping up everywhere – regenerative?
🍇 Want to know what exactly does it mean to be climate smart?
Join us Wednesday, June 25, 2025 @closduval to learn how to talk about being @napapagreen certified.
Use the event link in our bio to register.
#climateaction #wineindustry #wineindustryleadership #climatesmart #sustainablewine #sustainablewinery #regenerativevineyard #regenerativeag
