our story
We’re proud to call the Pacific Northwest our home.
This special place has majestic mountain ranges, tranquil forests, sparkling waters, and wide-open vistas. We know we live in one of the most spectacular places on Earth (even when it’s raining!)
So, what if it were possible to capture the magic of the Pacific Northwest and put it in a bottle? Washington State is recognized as one of the best places in the world for growing high-quality wine grapes, and we're privileged to be part of this exceptional terroir. Our unique topography, geology, and weather create the perfect growing conditions for a wide range of traditional and unusual grape varieties.
We're passionate about crafting wines that reflect the rare and
unique characteristics of this place we call home.
Our winemaking philosophy is centered on capturing the heart and soul of the Pacific Northwest in every bottle. From the first sip to the last drop, we want you to experience the terroir, the history, and the spirit of this region through our wines. Whether you’re a seasoned wine enthusiast or just starting to explore the world of wine, we welcome you to Spruce Hill Winery and invite you to experience the heart and soul of the Pacific Northwest in every bottle.
Get to Know Us
Mark Bader
WINEMAKER
Mark's journey into winemaking was a unique fusion of science, art, and passion. By day, he rocked the high-tech world, while by night, he grooved with his bass guitar in Seattle's music scene. But he realized winemaking was the perfect synthesis of his passions during his wine-tasting adventures around the world.
Starting with humble beginnings, Mark crafted his first vintages in his garage. Despite a few mishaps and batches gone wrong, Mark's thirst for knowledge led him to enroll in the Northwest Wine Academy to study commercial winemaking and refine his skills.
Working in the cellars of wineries in Washington, Mark had the opportunity to learn from wine professionals like Brian Carter, Peter Bos, and Bart Fawbush. Their mentorship and guidance helped shape Mark's winemaking approach and fueled his passion for the craft.
Jo Bader
ASSISTANT WINEMAKER, OPERATIONS
Jo is a lifelong resident of the Puget Sound area and spent 30 years working in the Seattle tech industry. During that time, she traveled the world and discovered wine. Jo eventually transformed her new passion into a second career by completing the Winery Sales and Marketing program at Northwest Wine Academy and working in several local tasting rooms, helping guests discover their next favorite wine.
She is also pursuing winemaking and loves transforming freshly picked grapes into bottled wine. To this end, she recently brushed off her dusty math skills to complete the “Basic Chemistry for Winemakers” and other winemaking classes at UC Davis. She is currently enrolled in their Winemaking Certificate Program.
Winemaking is 5% creativity and 95% cleaning (or does it just feel that way?)
We never let a little rain get in the way of a good time!
Sampling some wine as it comes through the press.
Putting some wine to rest in barrels.
When we're not making wine, we're traveling or exploring the beautiful PNW!
New sign... check!