Midway between the fog line and the top of Howell Mountain, Spence Vineyards occupies an enviable spot at an elevation of 1,900 feet. For the vines among the pines, this means cooler days and warmer nights for more hours of photosynthesis and longer hang time. The deeper, well-drained volcanic soil and a consistent, gentle breeze contribute to producing larger root systems for thick-skinned grapes of intense color and flavors.
All in the Family
The story begins: Long before the first vine was planted, Allen and Jackie Spence called Howell Mountain home for years, learning about winemaking and studying the intricacies of this particular growing environment. A passion grew into a business as the couple chose to rescue the property from its neglected state to create an exceptional home vineyard and crush facilities for small lot production.
In 2022, it was time for their well-earned retirement, so cousins Dave and Suzie Spence bought this exceptional property and kept it in the family.
At the start of 2024, a new chapter opened when daughter Keeley and her partner, Charlie, joined the family business to run the upcoming Spence Vineyards tasting room and bring a new generation’s enthusiasm and experience to sales and marketing.
Keeley Spence said, “When we first moved to Napa Valley, we weren’t sure what to expect, but we fell in love with a community that embraced us much more than we ever expected. Now, with an opportunity to take something already so special and share it with more people, we couldn’t be more excited. Having started our journey in Napa Valley in the small apartment above the barrel room, we can’t wait to unveil our new tasting room in the same space. Over the last 25 years, Allen and Jackie have done the incredibly hard work of making our wine a world-class expression of Howell Mountain. Now we just want to share it with more people.”
Follow the Spence Vineyards Story
The Spence Vineyards transition brings excitement with the involvement of the new generation. For those that already know and love Spence Vineyards, there’s much to look forward to, including an expanded portfolio of varietals being planned, as well as the addition of a brand new on-site tasting room at the Howell Mountain location. Meanwhile, the Spence Vineyards philosophy remains unchanged. “We believe a winemaker’s job is ‘not to ruin’ what nature has given but to extract all the nuances that reflect the land.”
Stay up-to-date via social media, sign up for the Spence Vineyards newsletter, and visit the online store. Of course, for members of each of the Wine Club’s four levels, sought-after allocations will be delivered to their doorsteps.
