Menu
CHARLES SWANSON | THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
The auction will include all 40 vintages ever produced of Spottswoode Winery’s estate Cabernet Sauvignon and a 19-magnum lot of Opus One Winery’s singular Bordeaux-style blend.
Two Napa Valley wineries are expected to draw plenty of attention next month when famed auction house Christie’s opens bidding on a sale of rare and fine wines.
The auction will feature comprehensive collections of renowned vintages from the wineries, with proceeds benefiting Napa Green, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing sustainability and climate action in the local wine industry.
The auction, which will take place online Sept. 4-18, will include a rare lot of Spottswoode Estate Vineyard & Winery’s Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, encompassing all 40 vintages ever produced – from 1982 to 2021 – from the St. Helena winery.
Additionally, Oakville’s Opus One Winery is offering a unique 19-magnum lot of its singular Bordeaux-style blend, including vintages from 2001 to 2019.
Both lots are expected to fetch tens of thousands of dollars each, with all proceeds being donated to Napa Green.
“It’s pretty incredible,” said Anna Brittain, executive director of Napa Green. “I mean, 40 vintages of Spottswoode wine; I don’t know when we’ll see that again.”
Brittain also called the Opus One lot “unprecedented,” emphasizing the rarity of the collection.
“It’s hard to even fathom all those wines available,” she said.
Spottswoode, which released its 2021 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon last year, is celebrating the 40th anniversary of its iconic wine, according to president and CEO Beth Novak.
“We make wines that authentically represent both time and place, so each vintage literally is an expression of that,” she said. “Each vintage has a story.”
Some of the early vintages from the Novak family’s personal collection are particularly rare, she added.
“(There’s) maybe 18 bottles left of the ‘82 in our cellar, and I can’t imagine that there’s much more out there in the marketplace,” she said.
Both Spottswoode and Opus One are longtime members of Napa Green, which certifies vineyards and wineries for their sustainability practices. Their support of the organization comes at a crucial time, as the nonprofit has faced cuts in federal funding.
“We lost a significant federal grant several months ago,” Brittain said. “So we are grateful to have the proceeds from these lots supporting our work, because as with many nonprofits, we’re walking a tightrope right now.”
The grant, aimed at expanding markets for climate-smart commodities, was canceled by the Trump administration in April.
For Novak, Napa Green’s work to support better stewardship of Napa County’s vineyards and land is especially important, given the rising frequency of “extreme weather events.”
“This is an agriculturally based business, we live and die by what mother nature gives us,” she said. “For us, it’s all about building resilience into the system.”
“We want to have an incredibly healthy ecosystem and we need to do all we can to protect our ability to grow the finest wine grapes in this amazing place.”
Opus One winemaker Michael Silacci echoed this sentiment in an email to The Press Democrat Friday .
“Anna Brittain and her team at Napa Green take a spherical approach to preserving and protecting both the vineyards and the people of Napa Valley,” Silacci wrote. “Their foundational pillars are exceptionally strong and broad. Yet, in the face of funding challenges and limited resources, I felt compelled to put my magnums where my mind is – to support their invaluable work.”
For details on the Christie’s auction, go to pdne.ws/47R2jil.
‼️ Save this Itinerary ‼️
@mvino1 has spent her career in the wine business telling the unique stories of wineries and as a Sommelier and Vintner. Here she has created an itinerary that showcases a rich variety of regional efforts in the Stag’s Leap District, Oakville and northern St. Helena. Check it out to experience the whole systems, regenerative practices at each of these @napagreen certified wineries that are as essential and unique as the terroir we pride ourselves on here in Napa Valley.
📍 @chimneyrockwinery
📍 @bcellars
📍 @boeschenvineyards
Visit these wineries to create deep meaningful connections and support local, sustainable businesses. Check out our climate smart itineraries - you really can’t go wrong.
#winetasting #sustainablewine #winetastingitinerary
🍃 Save green and drink green!
If you’re visiting the Central Napa Valley from anywhere in California, January is a great time to check out these incredible #NapaNeighbor deals from @napagreen certified members running through the end of the month.
📍 @ballentinevineyards
📍 @barnettvineyards
📍 @cliffamily
📍 @freemarkabbey
📍 @grgichhillsestate
📍 @mummnapawinery
📍 @pejuwinery
📍 @rombauervineyards
📍 @rutherfordhillwinery
📍 @schweigervineyards
📍 @stsupery
📍 @tressabores @tressaboreswinery
📍 @vsattui
📍 @whitehalllane
📍 @zdwines
Check out @napavintners or reach out to each winery for more info, and stay tuned for more adventures heading North.
#winetasting #visitnapavalley #sustainablewine
We love working with @mcecleanenergy to not only help you save energy but also money!
Hear from Dominus Estate’s Tod Mostero to hear how much they saved from a lighting change then connect with the Napa Green or MCE team to learn more.
🎥 @robot_productions
#energyefficiency #climateaction #sustainablebusiness #greenbusiness #sustainablewine
‼️Save this Itinerary‼️
Check out these stunning @napagreen certified wineries in this itinerary from @evyncam that takes you from the bay to the forest to explore the wide range of ecosystems that Napa Valley has to explore.
📍 @bouchaine_vineyards
📍 @ruddestate
📍 @seaveyvineyard
Visit these wineries to create deep meaningful connections and support local, sustainable businesses. Check out our climate smart itineraries - you really can’t go wrong.
#winetasting #sustainablewine #winetastingitinerary
🍃 Save green and drink green!
If you’re visiting the Southern Napa Valley from anywhere in California, January is a great time to check out these incredible #NapaNeighbor deals from @napagreen certified members running through the end of the month.
📍 @antinorinapavalley
📍 @artesawinery
📍 @chimneyrockwinery
📍 @cliffledevineyards
📍 @hydewines
📍 @odetteestate
📍 @pineridgewine
📍 @priestranchwine
📍 @robertcraigwinery
📍 @robertmondavi
📍 @stagsleapwinecellars
📍 @truchard
Check out @napavintners or reach out to each winery for more info, and stay tuned for more adventures heading North.
#winetasting #visitnapavalley #sustainablewine
Find out what being @napagreen certified means to @joshwidaman and the team @pineridgewine, then go for a visit and taste the love in every bottle!
#sustainablewine #regenerativeviticulture #winetasting
‼️ Save this Itinerary ‼️
Check out this itinerary by @danpetroski of participating @napagreen wineries and vineyards that contribute to the long-term health of our land and ensure that Napa Valley remains a thriving and beautiful region for future generations.
📍 @larkmeadvineyards
📍 @silveroakcellars
📍 @vsattui
Looking for holiday experiences that create deep meaningful connections and support local, sustainable businesses? Check out our climate smart itineraries - you really can’t go wrong.
#winetasting #sustainablewine #winetastingitinerary
‼️ Save this Itinerary ‼️
This is not your typical itinerary by @abrittain – wetting your palate for wine producers that are difficult, perhaps impossible, to visit. However, if you are a wine connoisseur seeking exceptional wines from sustainability and climate leaders you should absolutely put in the effort to secure wines from these @napagreen certified producers.
📍 @dominusestatewinery
📍 @lailvineyards
📍 @adamvs
Looking for holiday experiences that create deep meaningful connections and support local, sustainable businesses? Check out our climate smart itineraries - you really can’t go wrong.
#winetasting #sustainablewine #winetastingitinerary
‼️Save this Itinerary ‼️
This itinerary is ideal for a girls’ trip or a day out with friends! Discover the sustainable side of Napa with @goodfriendsgoodfood itinerary, which celebrates diversity and offers wines tailored to a range of palates.
These @napagreen certified wineries provide beautiful settings to connect over fantastic wine, all while supporting positive change within the wine industry.
📍 @domainecarneros
📍 @rdwinery
📍 @trefethenfamily
Looking for holiday experiences that create deep meaningful connections and support local, sustainable businesses? Check out our climate smart itineraries - you really can’t go wrong.
#winetasting #sustainablewine #winetastingitinerary
‼️ Save this itinerary‼️
This itinerary by Sommelier and Vintner, @danpetroski, showcases a rich variety of regional efforts from @napagreen certified wineries with a diversity of style, size, production and profiles, where each place focuses on varies in accordance with their distinct microclimate.
Be sure to check out the second 1/2 of this itinerary to complete your visit!
📍 @ashesxdiamonds
📍 @cliffledevineyards
📍 @hydewines
Looking for holiday experiences that create deep meaningful connections and support local, sustainable businesses? Check out our climate smart itineraries - you really can’t go wrong.
#winetasting #sustainablewine #winetastingitinerary
@closduval’s bottles from Verallia are 30% lighter than traditional bottles, which represents a 34% reduction in carbon emissions from glass production alone!
Lightweight glass saves natural resources, lowers transportation costs and emissions, and reduces the risk of employee injuries. Not only is it infinitely recyclable, it’s also beautiful!
Get a bottle (or several) of this @napagreen certified wine to feel and taste the commitment sustainability from soil to bottle.
#winetasting #wineindustry #climateaction #lightenup #lightweightglassbottles
‼️ Save this Itinerary‼️
Get insider information and tips to make the most of your trip to some of @reyeswine.mw’s favorite Napa Green certified wineries with this exclusive in-the-know Itinerary.
📍 @rdwinery
📍 @sequoiagrove
📍 @schramsberg
Looking for holiday experiences that create deep meaningful connections and support local, sustainable businesses? Check out our climate smart itineraries - you really can’t go wrong.
#winetasting #sustainablewine #winetastingitinerary
‼️Save this Itinerary‼️
This itinerary, by Master Sommelier, @andrearobinsonms, will take you to @napagreen Certified wineries, where we can see and taste the commitment to our planet and our community that pays off now in great wine, natural beauty and soil health, while paying it forward.
📍 @chandonusa
📍 @grgichhillsestate @grgichhills
📍 @troisnoixwine
Looking for holiday experiences that create deep meaningful connections and support local, sustainable businesses? Check out our climate smart itineraries - you really can’t go wrong.
#winetasting #sustainablewine #winetastingitinerary
Congratulations to @twentyrowswines for @napagreen Winery Certification!
Twenty Rows crafts small lots of their Napa Valley wines, at the @fiordisolewines certified sustainable facility. These wines are not only made with environmental impact in mind, they reflect honest varietal character and showcase the terroir where the grapes were grown.
#sustainablewine #sustainablewinery #napavalleywine
‼️ Save this Itinerary! ‼️
This itinerary by @abrittain will take you to @napagreen certified, tucked away spots, run by some powerhouse women, deeply dedicated to the stewardship of the Napa Valley.
📍 @tressabores
📍 @viadernapavalley
📍 @spottswoodewinery
Looking for holiday experiences that create deep meaningful connections and support local, sustainable businesses? Check out our climate smart itineraries - you really can’t go wrong.
#winetasting #sustainablewine #winetastingitinerary
Congratulations to @etudewines for achieving @napagreen winery recertification!
Etude Wine’s sustainability initiatives encompass everything from cover crops, solar powered facilities, recycled water use and water-wise landscaping, wetland and habitat restoration, wildlife corridors, stunning pollinator gardens and more. For a truly immersive sustainability experience with expressive wines with a holistic winemaking approach.
#climateaction #winetasting #wineindustry
