People Behind the Pour: Exploring the Spirit of Spruce Hill Winery Through Heart and Sustainability
We recently caught up with Jo Bader, co-founder and assistant winemaker of Spruce Hill Winery in Seattle, to learn more about the story behind their winemaking philosophy and how community and sustainability became the ethos of an exciting new winery in the Pacific Northwest.
Spruce Hill’s name reflects the Northwest’s natural beauty and the Baders’ deep connection to the environment. Inspired by a camping trip in the Hoh Rainforest, the name evokes the majestic Sitka spruce trees—symbols of strength and endurance.
Their label, complete with a tiny Sasquatch hidden among the forest, captures the winery’s playful yet grounded identity.
At Spruce Hill Winery, winemaking is a craft—a blend of art and science. “We pay attention to the details because we want to make sure that we produce high-quality wine—you’re not going to find any weird faults,” Jo explains.
“My husband [Mark] and I make the wine from start to finish. We run the business, wear all the hats,” says Jo. “So we’re extremely hands-on and touching every aspect of owning a winery.”
This meticulous attention to detail pairs well with a sense of adventure, true to Jo and Mark's nature. For instance, their recent release of Carmenère—a lesser-known varietal—has been met with enthusiasm, sparking curiosity among novices and seasoned wine lovers.
“We have some of the more traditional wines, but we also try to produce wine that maybe introduces people to something they haven’t had before,” says Jo.
Their philosophy of blending tradition with innovation extends to exploring new varietals like Tannat, introducing wine enthusiasts to flavors they may not have encountered.
Sustainability is a significant value at the core of Spruce Hill Winery. Jo and Mark aim to reduce their environmental footprint while delivering wines that embody the richness of Washington’s terroir, which includes:
Partnering with Sustainable Washington and Salmon Safe-certified vineyards, ensuring responsible water and soil management and the fair treatment of farmworkers.
Using lighter-weight bottles to minimize shipping energy and eliminating capsules to reduce waste.
Recycling corks and upcycling grape pomace (skins, stems, and seeds) to feed local farm animals.
Planting a tree for every bottle of their Rainforest Red sold through a partnership with One Tree Planted, supporting U.S.-based reforestation efforts.
Jo says one of their most significant achievements is surviving their first year in business after launching in the summer of 2023. Building a business from scratch, especially a new winery, is all-encompassing. From winemaking to distribution, point of sale, website, and marketing, and beyond, Jo remarks that although challenging, it’s been a rewarding year that will set Spruce Hill up for success in 2025.
“We feel like we’ve reached that point where our foundation is set up, and now we can start building on that foundation,” says Jo.
As Spruce Hill Winery enters its next phase, Jo and Mark are focused on expanding its reach beyond its Seattle location in SODO. They envision a dedicated tasting room in Tacoma or Gig Harbor, which would allow them to immerse themselves further in the local community and showcase their brand more personally.
WeRise is thrilled to share Spruce Hill wine with you at our online bottle shop, and we’re delighted to feature Spruce Hill in our brand-new wine bar, which is now open. To learn more about Jo and Mark of Spruce Hill, check out their website and sign up for the WeRise newsletter so you’re the first to be in the know with news and events at WeRise Wines.