At the heart of California’s Napa Valley, where prestige and personality often collide, Elizabeth Spencer Winery has carved a place for itself as a producer of elegant, AVA-specific wines that consistently over-deliver on quality and value. Boutique in size but bold in vision, this is a winery with an ethos as compelling as the wines it produces – making it a name that deserves a place on your list.
Founded by husband-and-wife duo Elizabeth Pressler and Spencer Graham in 1998, the winery reflects a shared belief in wines of balance, restraint and character. Today, the brand is proudly female-led and part of the Boisset Collection, under the dynamic leadership of Jean-Charles Boisset. While Boisset brings flair and reach, the soul of Elizabeth Spencer remains rooted in its original mission: to craft small-lot wines with a strong sense of place and a personal touch.
Small production, single vineyard charm
Elizabeth Spencer’s wines are crafted from grapes sourced from some of California’s most respected AVAs, including Rutherford, Mendocino, Sonoma Coast and the Santa Rita Hills. These wines are made with a focus on balance, purity and varietal expression – and always with an eye towards value and versatility.
From a vibrant Mendocino Sauvignon Blanc to an earthy, supple Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, each wine in the range has its own clear identity, designed to be both food-friendly and cellar-worthy. This is artisan California, thoughtfully made, AVA-driven and boutique in the truest sense.
The winery itself is based in Rutherford, in a restored 1872 brick post office that functions as a tasting room and hub for their winemaking ethos: one of craftsmanship, community and care.
Winemaker spotlight: Sarah Vandendriessche
At the heart of Elizabeth Spencer’s cellar is Sarah Vandendriessche, who has served as head winemaker for over 14 years. Born in New Orleans and trained initially in microbiology, Sarah brings both scientific precision and intuitive artistry to her work. Her journey into wine began with restaurant work, and from there she went on to develop her craft, gaining her winemaking experience through hands-on practice under the mentorship and tutoring of Nigel Kisnman and Abe Schoener. Throughout this time, Sarah garnered a deep passion for viticulture and allowed her love of food to shape her wine-making philosophy.
Today, Sarah’s philosophy at Elizabeth Spencer blends minimalist intervention with a deep respect for site and season. In a recent Tasting Panel interview (May 2025), she emphasised the importance of letting the vineyard speak. “My job is to help guide the fruit into becoming the best version of itself,” she explained. Since her tenure began back in 2010, Sarah’s wines have become renowned for their clarity, elegance and structure.
Since 2022, she has worked closely with Heidi Peterson Barrett, one of Napa’s most revered consulting winemakers, further refining the estate’s focus on small-lot, terroir-expressive cuvées. Sarah credits the partnership with deepening the sensory and stylistic identity of the wines, and has described their collaboration as “a mentorship and a dialogue.”
Under her leadership, the winery has expanded its AVA-specific bottlings while preserving a consistent house style: poised, food-friendly, and expressive of place. Her grounded, thoughtful approach makes Sarah not just a standout winemaker, but a defining voice in the new chapter of California wine.
Championing women in wine
Elizabeth Spencer stands out not just for the wines it produces but also for its commitment to equity and advocacy in the wine industry. As part of the Boisset Collection, the winery proudly champions women at every level of its organisation, a rarity in an industry where only 14% of bonded wineries have a female head winemaker.
At Elizabeth Spencer, Sarah and Heidi form part of a leadership team where women hold 100% of the C-suite roles, and 57% of VP positions are female-led. Across the broader Boisset Collection, over half of all employees and sales team members are women, with 59% of female staff in management positions.
This dedication to inclusion isn’t just internal. The winery has supported external industry groups like the Batonnage Forum, a US-based non-profit committed to mentorship and opportunity for women in wine.
In an industry still working toward true equity, Elizabeth Spencer offers a genuine example of progress, and that’s something worth raising a glass to.
Why Elizabeth Spencer deserves your attention
With artisan wines that punch above their weight, a compelling human story, and a commitment to craft and equality, Elizabeth Spencer is a modern Napa Valley success story. These are wines with heart, made by people who care deeply about what they do, and it shows in every bottle.
If you’re looking to offer your customers exceptional Californian wines with identity, approachability and soul, Elizabeth Spencer is the name to know.
