Howell Mountain · Napa Valley
Visit Spence with a Private Chauffeur
A small family estate at 1,900 feet on Howell Mountain that has just opened its first tasting room, with seated tastings on a knoll above a canyon, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Allen and Jacalyn Spence bought a small piece of Howell Mountain at 1,900 feet in 1994 as a weekend escape from San Francisco and moved up full time in 1996. In 1998 they won a home winemaking kit at the Taste of Howell Mountain auction, which turned out to include 2,000 pounds of Cabernet. Their first vintage was 2003. They later sold to Allen's first cousin Dave Spence and his wife, Suzie.
The vineyard sits on a knoll above a canyon that opens onto the valley floor, so a steady breeze moves through the vines, and the red volcanic soil here runs unusually deep, laced with football-sized rocks. Spence makes vineyard-designated Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, with Zinfandel and Petit Verdot as well. Dave and Suzie's daughter Keeley and her fiancé, Charlie, have run the business day to day since 2024.
The family has just opened a small tasting room on the property, built to feel warm, intimate and close to the vines. The Estate Tasting is seated and unhurried: a curated pour of the small-production wines, including the Howell Mountain Cabernet, with the story of the estate. Bring layers, since mountain weather changes quickly, and comfortable shoes if you would like to walk the vineyard.
Tasting Fees
Tasting fees to be verified upon reservation.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
994 White Cottage Road North, Angwin
AVA
Howell Mountain
Visiting
Seated Estate Tastings by reservation, with seatings at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. on most days. Book online; the fee is paid at check-in.
Known For
Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
Founded
2003 first vintage (property bought in 1994)
Good to Know
The tasting room is at 994 White Cottage Road North in Angwin, through a gated drive. Online bookings take parties of up to 20, and online cancellations close 72 hours before the visit. Dress in layers; mountain weather can change quickly.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 9:30 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Meadowood or Alila Napa Valley.
9:30 · Pickup at Meadowood or Alila Napa Valley
We pick up at 9:30 a.m. so you are at Spence for its first seating at 10 a.m. Meadowood, at the foot of Howell Mountain, is about 20 minutes from the estate, and Alila Napa Valley, in downtown St. Helena, about 25 minutes. The day below runs about seven hours, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:00 · Spence Vineyards
The seated Estate Tasting in the new tasting room, with time to walk the vineyard if you like. The winery holds two hours for each seating; we plan about 90 minutes.
11:45 · Robert Craig Winery
About 10 minutes away. A mountain Cabernet house with an estate vineyard at 2,300 feet on the summit of Howell Mountain. The Summit Experience, a guided tour and tasting at the estate, is $135 (refunded with a case purchase); we plan about 75 minutes. By appointment only, with limited reservations.
1:20 · Lunch at Forum at Meadowood
About 20 minutes away. Lunch at Forum, the main restaurant at Meadowood at the foot of Howell Mountain, with seasonal dishes drawn from the Meadowood farm. Lunch is served on weekdays, with brunch on weekends. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
2:45 · Viader Vineyards & Winery
About 12 minutes away. A family estate on the steep lower slopes of Howell Mountain, home of the Cabernet Franc blend the family calls Liquid Cashmere. The Estate Tasting Experience pours three estate-grown red blends after a guided walk of the property ($100); we plan about 90 minutes. By appointment, Thursday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
4:15 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 4:30 p.m., seven hours after pickup.
About $235 per person in tasting fees for Robert Craig and Viader, paid directly to each winery, plus Spence's fee, confirmed with the reservation.
Viader hosts Thursday to Saturday, so this day works on those days (Forum serves brunch on Saturday). It runs about seven hours, from a 9:30 a.m. pickup to about 4:30 p.m.
Every tour is custom. This day is a starting point: your chauffeur will shape it around what matters to you, and we plan multi-day tours for guests who want to see more of wine country.
Your Vehicle & Six-Hour Tour Rates
Up to 6 guests
Elite Luxury SUV
Lincoln Navigator or Cadillac Escalade
From $750
Six-hour wine tour, plus 20% gratuity. Additional hours $125 each.
Up to 9 guests
Jet Sprinter or Executive Luxury Van
Captain's chairs and room to spread out
From $1,350
Six-hour wine tour, plus 20% gratuity. Additional hours $225 each.
Larger groups travel in more than one vehicle, and we plan the winery appointments around your group, since many wineries limit groups to 6 to 8 guests. Tasting fees are separate and paid directly to each winery. Every tour starts with six hours; add time by the hour when you book.
Questions
Do I need a reservation at Spence?
Yes. Tastings are seated and booked ahead, at 10 a.m., noon or 2 p.m. on most days. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Spence?
Spence does not publish its tasting fee online; it is paid at check-in. Tasting fees to be verified upon reservation, as of September 2026.
Who owns Spence Vineyards?
Dave and Suzie Spence, who bought it from Dave's cousin Allen and his wife, Jacalyn. Their daughter Keeley and her fiancé, Charlie, run it day to day.
How did Spence start making wine?
In 1998 Allen and Jacalyn Spence won a home winemaking kit at the Taste of Howell Mountain auction that came with 2,000 pounds of Cabernet. A neighbor guided them, and their first commercial vintage was 2003.
Where is Spence?
At about 1,900 feet on Howell Mountain, at 994 White Cottage Road North in Angwin, in the Howell Mountain AVA.
How does booking a tour with Bien Chauffeured work?
Reserve a six-hour tour online, even if your plans are still taking shape. Your chauffeur will email you first to learn what matters to you, then build your itinerary and make the winery appointments. Extra hours can be added.
Reserve Your Tour Now, Plan the Details Later
Your plans don't need to be final to book. Reserve your six-hour tour online, and your chauffeur will email you first to learn what matters to you, then build your itinerary and make the winery appointments. Prefer to talk? Call our concierge at 888-291-2328.
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