Spelletich Family Wine Company
Spelletich Family Wine Company started in 1994 with their first wines: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Bodog Red-destined to become an immensely popular blend.
Twenty years later, The Spelletich Family Wine Company is united by four brands – Spelletich Cellars, SPELLwine, 3 SPELLS, and Crush 94.
Spelletich Cellars produces about 3,000 cases per year made from grapes sourced from some of the finest Napa Valley vineyards, priced from $30 to $65. SPELLwine, created by Kristen Spelletich, characterized as “A Next Generation” brand produces around 2,000 cases annually, priced from $15-$20. The newest brand, 3 SPELLS, is our“3rd generation” wines, priced from $22-$30 range.
Crush 94 is the custom-crush arm of the company, which produces wine for clients from crush-to-bottle and everything in-between.
The Bodog blend refers to Tim’s great-great grandfather, who left Hungary in 1849 and migrated to the Midwest.
This winery is truly family owned and operated by husband and wife team of Timothy and Barb Spelletich. Timothy and Barb's individual experiences in Europe, interests in wine, food, cooking and entrepreneurial drive, generate an awesome team of artistry and hard work. The combination of wine industry preparation and lifelong passion is what united them in the heart of Napa Valley to launch Spelletich Cellars Winery.
Barb and Tim share their passion and remind you that life is to be enjoyed with food, family & friends.
Barb
Winemaker/Owner
Barb arrived in Napa Valley in ‘92 and started working for St. Clement Vineyards. Two years later, she and Timothy formed Spelletich Cellars. Previous to that she worked for Ste Michelle Winery and G. Raden & Sons. She established her own distributorship, Zephyr Imports in Seattle, WA.Barb Spelletich is a confident, accomplished winemaker, who makes fine wine. On blending Barb explains: “Making wine is the same as cooking - you are looking for the balance, the nuances, and I predominantly focus on the smells and flavors. My focus is fruit. The wine must smell and taste like the fruit from which it is made. Wood and age add nuances.” It is her philosophy to hold back some of her wine for five years in the manner of some of the finer French producers.She is proud and happy that twenty years of hard work, team work, and determination has resulted in a fine family business.
Tim
Cellarmaster/Owner
Timothy interest in wine began after graduating with a business degree from UMass, Amherst, he had an opportunity to travel in Italy. He worked at the Locanda Del Sant'Uffizio, a small country inn and restaurant outside of Asti in Piemonte. At this former monastery, he experienced an old-fashioned way of life. Each prix fixe meal -- prepared with the freshest seasonal ingredients available on the property and nearby villages. The exposure to herbs, fruits and vegetables harvested at their peak, creating menus, and pairing the food with wine (from the inn’s estate grapes), introduced Timothy to flavors and sensory revelations that changed his life.He returned to the U.S. to work for the Pierre Hotel in New York and The Four Seasons in Philadelphia. Arriving in Napa Valley in ‘93, he worked for Tra Vigne restaurant in St. Helena as manager and wine buyer. In 1994, he and Barb teamed up to start Spelletich Cellars. Tim is proud that the Spelletich Family Wine Company will be celebrating 20 years!