April 09, 2024 / By mobanmarket
NAPA VALLEY, CA — The historic Spottswoode Estate Vineyard, first planted in 1882, was one of the first vineyards in Napa Valley to be farmed organically and has been certified organic since 1992.
Today, Spottswoode holds almost every environmental certification applicable to vineyards and wineries. Spottswoode is also widely considered one of the world’s great wineries, earning regular comparisons to the First Growths of Bordeaux.
The following is a Patch Q&A with the woman at the helm, Beth Weber Novak.
Question: Tell us about yourself and your journey to becoming the president and CEO of Spottswoode.
Answer: “I moved to Napa Valley with my parents and siblings in 1972, so I grew up doing lots of chores in our vineyard. That definitely planted a seed for my future, but it was actually a year spent studying in Europe that made me begin thinking about a career in wine. After university, I joined a San Francisco-based wine brokerage representing such clients as Caymus, Joseph Phelps, and Pine Ridge. In 1987, my Mom, Mary, asked if I could help out a little at the winery. Two things quickly became apparent: it was a full-time position, and I absolutely loved being a part of Spottswoode! In those early years, we acquired the adjacent Kraft property to expand our estate and establish a barrel room, replanted much of our vineyard, earned CCOF organic certification, and the built our winery. I love what I do and am grateful to be able to do it. I am also committed to being an agent of positive change in our community, but above all, I see myself—along with my sister—as the stewards of my family’s winegrowing estate, carrying on the legacy begun by our Mom and Dad.”
Q: How do you describe climate change and why is it important, as a vintner, to educate yourself about it?
A: “These days, I talk less about climate change, and more about the climate crisis. For me, this reflects the urgency and importance of this moment in time. Wine is an agricultural-based business and if we want it to endure and thrive, we need to act now, and continue to act. The climate crisis can feel overwhelming, but inaction isn’t an option. As individuals and businesses, we need to prioritize the environment. It is the wellspring of our success, and if we want our vineyards and communities to thrive for generations to come, we need to be much better stewards. Here at Spottswoode, we have developed a core purpose statement that acts as a guide for all important decisions. It reads: ‘Grounded in stewardship, we actively effect and inspire meaningful change through nurturing our vineyards, communities, and planet.'”
Q: Spottswoode is well-known for its greenness, having won many awards and accolades. Which are you most proud of and why?
A: “More than any one single award or honor, I take pride in the entirety of our commitment to the environment, and what our success has come to mean in terms of how important environmental stewardship is, and how it ultimately elevates quality. In our way, we have been a proving ground for many of these practices and have helped to show other wineries that they are not only viable, they produce extraordinary wines.”
Q: Can environmentalism and luxury winemaking go hand in hand? Why or why not?
A: “Environmentalism and luxury winemaking absolutely go hand in hand. In fact, when you look around the world today, many of the greatest winegrowing estates farm organically and are deeply committed to the environment, which is not surprising since they have often been stewards of their vineyards for generations. Because it has not been touched by chemicals for almost 40 years, our Estate Vineyard is thriving, healthy and resilient. It is full of vitality and microbial life, which in turn underscores the profound sense of place that makes great wine so fascinating and beautiful.”
Q: How do you celebrate Earth Day at Spottswoode?
A: “I like to think that in our own way, we celebrate Earth Day at Spottswoode every day. This said, Earth Day provides an opportunity to reflect and to educate, both of which are extremely important. This year we are hosting a group of Bay Area sommeliers from our restaurant accounts for an educational vineyard tour, which will focus on our commitment to organic, biodynamic and regenerative farming. This will be followed by a wine tasting and lunch on the Estate patio overlooking our Spottswoode Estate Vineyard.”
Read more about Spottswoode on its website.
Click Here: newcastle knights rugby store
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
Categories: