Winemakers Mark and Jo Bader are the newest faces among Seattle’s casual SODO wine scene, embracing the district’s industrial vibe. The tasting room and production area is a bit unique in that it’s under the same roof as T2 Cellar and Republic of Cider, offering wide tasting choices from any of the three independent businesses that share the building.
The winery name and label art reflect the Bader’s love and appreciation for the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest, where they both grew up and retired early from corporate careers. “After trips to wine regions around the world, our interest in wine grew,” says Mark, who initially was a garagiste winemaker prior to learning commercial winemaking at Northwest Wine Academy.
“After many conversations about the wisdom—or lack thereof—of starting a new business, we finally decided to take the first steps in starting a winery,” says Mark, with a sense of humor. Sharing equally in the multitasking, Jo handles sales and marketing, and is upping her knowledge at UC Davis’ winemaking certificate program. Their past experience in the wine industry includes working with various wineries and mentors such as Bart Fawbush at Bartholomew Winery, Elsom Cellars, Brian Carter and Peter Bos.
“We incorporate sustainability into our winemaking practices, such as using lightweight and locally sourced bottles, eliminating capsules, and recycling our corks and packaging,” says Jo, adding, “Our winemaking philosophy is to intervene as little as possible. We feel we are shepherds of our wines.”
Mark expands on their philosophy: “We believe that wine is a living product that sometimes needs guidance and sometimes needs freedom. The art of winemaking is knowing when to act and when to wait, when to intervene and when to let nature take its course.”
The reds display skillful balance and quality fruit, sourced from Eastern Washington vineyard sites that include Gamache, Frenchman Hills and Heron Bluff.
Visit the shared tasting room at 2960 4th Ave S #109, Seattle. Open Fri-Sat, or learn more at sprucehillwinery.com.
Below are two releases we recently reviewed:
Spruce Hill Winery 2021 Rainforest Red
92 pts.
Polished, with energetic structure supporting fragrant blackberry and steeped red currant accented with forest floor and a hint of plum. A firm edge of tannins arches around the graceful finish with underlying power. Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon $32
Spruce Hill Winery Grenache Columbia Valley (NV)
92 pts.
This wine earned a place in our “Editor’s Top Picks” in the Spring 2024 issue of Washington Tasting Room Magazine. Expressive red fruit and savory elements come together in a compact manner, offering juicy raspberry and dark plum backlit by minerally-driven acidity, intricately layered with dried herbs, cured olives and white pepper on the smooth finish. $26