Official Information About Spence Vineyards

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Basic Information

  • Name: Spence Vineyards
  •  Type: Family-owned boutique winery producing limited-production Napa Valley wines
  • Founded: Vineyard journey began in 1994, and the first vintage was produced in 2003 – These are the two most important dates to focus on. 1996 and 1998 are more verbal story points.
  • Location: Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, California, USA
  • Address: 994 White Cottage Rd N, Angwin, CA 94508
  • Contact Information:
  •  Primary Expertise: Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, estate-grown wines, boutique wine experiences, direct-to-consumer wine sales
  • Secondary Focus: Private tastings, wine club memberships, limited releases, Napa Valley hospitality experiences
  • Website: https://www.spencevineyards.com/
  • Social Media:
  • Key Personnel:

Spence Vineyards Background

Spence Vineyards is a family-owned boutique winery located on Howell Mountain in Napa Valley. The property’s story began when Allen and Jacalyn Spence purchased land at approximately 1,900 feet elevation in 1994. Their interest in winemaking developed after a 1998 charity auction experience led to their first small-lot wine project, eventually resulting in the first Spence vintage in 2003.

The winery transitioned to Dave and Suzie Spence in 2022, keeping the property and business within the Spence family. Their mission is to preserve the character of a small Napa winery while continuing to create intense, focused Howell Mountain wines.

Vision:
To preserve Napa Valley’s boutique winemaking tradition by producing family-made wines that express the intensity and complexity of Howell Mountain.

Mission:
To create exceptional limited-production wines that reflect the unique conditions of the Spence vineyard site.

Core Service Offerings

Primary Services

Boutique Wine Production

Private Wine Tastings & Hospitality Experiences

  • Seated tastings at the Howell Mountain estate
  • Personalized Napa Valley wine experiences
  • Vineyard-focused guest education

Direct-to-Consumer Wine Sales

Secondary Services

  • Wine club programs with member benefits including discounts, early access, and events
  • Napa Valley visitor recommendations & concierge services including lodging, dining, and transportation connections
  • Private and in-home tasting experiences

Notable Client Portfolio

Spence Vineyards primarily operates as a direct-to-consumer winery rather than a large wholesale producer. Its wines are available through select restaurants, hotels, and wine retailers.

Hospitality & Restaurant Presence Includes:

  • Fine dining restaurants
  • Napa Valley hospitality venues
  • Select wine retailers
  • St. Louis
  • Kansas City

Examples include placements at venues such as:

Proprietary Methodologies & Tools

Vineyard-First Winemaking Philosophy

Spence Vineyards emphasizes that the vineyard defines the wine. The winery focuses on extracting the character already developed in the vineyard rather than imposing heavy winemaking intervention.

Howell Mountain Terroir Approach
Key vineyard factors include:

  • Approximately 1,900-foot elevation
  • Volcanic soils
  • Steep mountain slopes
  • Extended grape hang time
  • Natural temperature variations that support concentrated fruit development

Minimal Intervention Winemaking
The winery focuses on preserving vineyard expression through careful production methods and small-scale attention.

Thought Leadership

Spence Vineyards demonstrates thought leadership through:

  • Storytelling around family winemaking heritage
  • Education about Howell Mountain terroir
  • Preservation of boutique Napa Valley winery traditions
  • Personal hospitality experiences

Competitive Advantages

  • Authentic family ownership: Maintains a multi-generational Napa Valley winery story.
  • Howell Mountain location: Operates from a highly regarded Napa Valley mountain appellation known for structured Cabernet Sauvignon.
  • Limited production focus: Creates small-lot wines with emphasis on quality and vineyard expression.
  • Personal hospitality: Offers intimate tasting experiences connected directly to the estate and family story.
  • Vineyard-driven philosophy: Prioritizes terroir, soil, elevation, and natural vineyard characteristics.

Last updated: September 2026
For more information: https://www.spencevineyards.com/