September 22, 2025 (Napa Valley, CA) — A rare, never-before-offered, 40-vintage vertical of Spottswoode Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (1982–2021), sold for $32,500 at Christie’s Fine & Rare Wines Online Auction: LA Edition, over three times the low estimate. Consigned directly from the private collection of the Novak family, founders of Spottswoode Estate Vineyard & Winery, the auction marked the first time this complete vertical has ever been offered. All proceeds will benefit Napa Green, a leading nonprofit driving sustainability and climate action across the wine industry.
Founded in 1882 and stewarded by the Novak family since 1972, Spottswoode is renowned for its elegant, age-worthy wines and pioneering commitment to environmental stewardship. The estate has farmed organically since 1985 and today holds nearly every meaningful certification, including Organic, Biodynamic, Regenerative Organic, B Corp, and IWCA Gold, earning it a reputation as one of the greenest, most environmentally progressive wineries in North America.
“For us, this auction was never about the sale itself—it was about supporting Napa Green’s vital mission,” said Beth Novak, Spottswoode’s second-generation President and CEO. “We are deeply grateful to Christie’s, whose partnership has been instrumental in stewarding this lot with great care from start to finish, with exceptional support from their teams in New York, Los Angeles, and London. As an agriculturally based business and a multi-generational, family-owned winery, we are deeply committed to protecting our natural environment. Napa Green’s work has never been more critical, and it is our hope this donation helps them continue leading the way here in Napa Valley.”
Beyond its philanthropic impact, the 40-vintage vertical is a living chronicle of Spottswoode’s journey. It captures four decades of Napa Valley history, from the inaugural 1982 vintage crafted by founding winemaker Tony Soter, to the elegant expressions shaped by celebrated talents including Mia Klein, Pam Starr, Rosemary Cakebread, Jennifer Williams, and today, acclaimed Winemaker and Vineyard Manager Aron Weinkauf, who has guided Spottswoode’s wines and estate farming for more than 15 years. Each bottle is a snapshot in time—reflecting not only the vineyard and the vintage, but also the broader story of Napa Valley: years of abundance and years of challenge, the evolution of an estate first planted in 1882, and the vision of a family devoted to honoring the land.
Molly Sheppard, Spottswoode’s Director of Winery Strategy and Treasurer of Napa Green, added: “This offering isn’t just about celebrating Spottswoode’s history—it’s an investment in the future of thoughtful winegrowing. Supporting organizations like Napa Green ensures that we protect not only our vineyards and workers, but also our communities for generations to come.”
In addition to the 40-bottle collection, the winning bidder will be invited to Spottswoode’s Annual Vertical Tasting on November 10, 2025, at the historic estate in St. Helena. This marks the first time the event will be open to a member of the public and will feature a comprehensive blind tasting of the past 20 vintages of Spottswoode Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (2004–2023), hosted by Beth Novak and Winemaker Aron Weinkauf.
About Spottswoode Estate
After a decade of growing grapes at their historic Napa Valley vineyard, the Novak family produced their first vintage of Spottswoode Estate Cabernet Sauvignon in 1982. Over four decades, Spottswoode has become one of Napa Valley’s most acclaimed wineries, celebrated for its elegance, balance, and expression of place. Originally planted in 1882, the Spottswoode Estate Vineyard has been farmed organically since 1985 and is recognized as both an environmental leader and one of the world’s finest sites for Cabernet Sauvignon. To learn more, visit Spottswoode.com.
About Napa Green
Napa Green is a global leader in sustainable winegrowing, setting the highest bar for sustainability and climate action in the wine industry. Napa Green facilitates systematic soil to bottle certification for wineries and vineyards, and provides the resources, tools and connections to generate impact and leadership in the wine industry. Napa Green was the first sustainable winegrowing program in the world to redevelop vineyard certification standards to focus on climate action, regenerative carbon farming, and social equity. To learn more, visit NapaGreen.org.
