our story
At Spruce Hill Winery, we make the wines we pour. As hands-on producers, we’re involved in every step of the process, from sourcing fruit from standout Washington vineyards to crafting small-lot wines that emphasize balance, character, and place.
We focus on interesting and sometimes unexpected grapes—like sparkling Albariño, Cinsault, and Tannat—while also making classic, approachable wines that people know and love. Our approach is thoughtful but not fussy, and always driven by what tastes good in the glass.
With a distinctly Pacific Northwest vibe—welcoming, relaxed, and a little adventurous—and tasting rooms in both Seattle and Gig Harbor, we’re rooted in our communities and focused on creating places where people can enjoy good wine without pretense.
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!