Acquisition includes Elizabeth Spencer’s Rutherford destination, wine portfolio and tasting room located in a historic 1872 Post Office building on Rutherford Cross Road
ST. HELENA, CA (December 8th, 2021) – The Boisset family today announces the addition of Elizabeth Spencer Winery in Rutherford in Napa Valley to its collection of wineries and destinations. Boisset’s purchase includes the Elizabeth Spencer wine portfolio of small-production wines from Napa, Sonoma, and Mendocino, and its location on the Rutherford Cross Road, where the historic 1872 Post Office building welcomes guests into a boutique tasting room, outdoor gardens, and studio.
Founders, and husband-and-wife team, Elizabeth Pressler and Spencer Graham each fell in love with wine independently and embarked on lifelong careers in the wine industry before ever meeting. After they married, they pursued their vision together and established their bonded winery in 1998 naming it after each of them—Elizabeth and Spencer—to reflect their committed partnership. Elizabeth Spencer Winery is the realization of their dream. Their winery was built based on the importance of strong relationships, starting with their own dynamic personal and professional bond, and extending outward to their important network of growers, employees, and ultimately to their customers.
“For more than twenty years, Elizabeth and Spencer have pursued their passion to create a community of loyal wine lovers with Elizabeth’s exquisite hospitality and generosity of spirit and Spencer’s viticultural curiosity. The destination they have created in the heart of Rutherford speaks to their vision, steeped in history with a welcoming environment at the crossroads of history. We are honored to be entrusted to carry forward with their vision and look forward to contributing our inspiration to the phenomenal journey they began,” exclaimed Jean-Charles Boisset, Proprietor of Boisset Collection. “We are enthralled with the dynamic site they created, imbued with history at the vital crossroads of Napa Valley and their strong family culture, from growers to customers.”
“We are delighted to leave our brand and property in the very experienced hands of Jean-Charles Boisset and the Boisset Collection,” remarked Spencer Graham. “Elizabeth Spencer Winery will continue to grow and prosper with such a seasoned new owner who has an enduring passion for wine with an international perspective and a deep appreciation for history and a sense of place,” added Elizabeth Pressler.
At the crossroads of Rutherford, the undisputed “heart” of Napa Valley, Rutherford, CA (Pop. 525), Elizabeth Spencer is an iconic destination rooted in history and strategically located on Hwy 29 between Yountville and St. Helena. Seeking a destination in Rutherford builds upon Boisset’s interest in Napa Valley, where it boasts wineries and destinations in Calistoga, St. Helena, Yountville, and coming soon, downtown Napa.
“We love Napa Valley… we want to be in every village of our valley; and as a Frenchman, Rutherford has been a dream of mine for many years … It breathes the story of wine and the origins of this great valley,” said Boisset. “The 1872 brick post office building is a gem of Napa’s history and we intend to continue to be its steward, as Elizabeth and Spencer have done so well.”
Elizabeth Spencer joins Boisset’s family-owned portfolio of historical and lifestyle and gourmet retail destinations in France and California, including: Burgundy, Beaujolais, Jura, the Rhône Valley, Provence, the south of France, the Russian River Valley, Sonoma, and Napa. Boisset’s portfolio is anchored in history, heritage, and terroir, to which Elizabeth Spencer is a perfect complement.
Boisset has long championed certified sustainable, organic, and Biodynamic® practices at its estates in Sonoma County, Napa Valley, and France, and Elizabeth Spencer aligns with the same commitment. Both wineries equally champion the leadership of women in the world, respect for history, and commitment to conviviality as a core value. Boisset is well-regarded for being an advocate for American wine history including its restoration of Buena Vista Winery, Oakville Grocery, and its forthcoming Calistoga Depot restoration, in addition to its two museums celebrating the history of wine – at Buena Vista Winery and the 1881 Napa Museum at the Oakville Wine Merchant.
About Boisset Collection
Boisset is a family-owned collection of historic and unique wineries and lifestyle destinations bound together by a common cause: authentic, terroir-driven wines in harmony with their history, their future and the land and people essential to their existence. With more than twenty-six historical and prestigious still and sparkling wineries in the world’s preeminent terroirs, including Burgundy, Beaujolais, Jura, the Rhône Valley, the south of France, and California’s Russian River Valley and the Napa Valley. Its California wineries include: DeLoach Vineyards, Raymond Vineyards, Buena Vista Winery, and JCB by Jean-Charles Boisset. Its French properties feature: Domaine de la Vougeraie, Jean-Claude Boisset, Bouchard Aîné et Fils, J. Moreau et Fils, Louis Bouillot, Domaine Maire, Fortant, and Bonpas. Each house retains its unique history, identity, and style, and all are united in the pursuit of fine wines expressive of their terroir. Wine is at the center of Boisset’s mission and is complemented by spirits, beer, cider, gourmet foods, and luxury goods, both of its own design and from partnerships with historic companies such as Baccarat, Lalique, St. Louis, Riedel, Christofle, and Bernardaud.
To learn more about the Boisset Collection, please visit our website here.
