Silver Oak Cellars

Silver Oak Cellars

Location Oakville, California
Geyserville, California, USA
Appellation
Founded 1972
First vintage 1972
Key people Founders Ray Duncan and Justin Meyer
David Duncan, President and CEO,
Tim Duncan, Executive Vice President
Daniel Baron, Director of Winemaking
Varietal Cabernet Sauvignon
Website http://www.silveroak.com/

Silver Oak Cellars is a family-owned, California winery dedicated to producing only Cabernet Sauvignon. Silver Oak was established in 1972 by Ray Duncan and Justin Meyer. It is currently operated by Ray's sons David Duncan, who serves as the President and CEO, and his brother, Tim Duncan, who serves as Executive Vice President. Silver Oak has two wineries; one in Oakville in the Napa Valley and one in Geyserville in the Alexander Valley.[1] The Duncan Family also established Twomey Cellars in 1999, named after Ray Duncan’s mother, where they produce Pinot noir, Merlot and Sauvignon blanc. Twomey has wineries in Calistoga and Healdsburg.

In 2007, the ColoradoBiz cited Silver Oak as one of a dozen California wineries which "have reached cult status" for its Cabernet Sauvignon production and occupies an "important niche in California's wine industry."[2]

History

Silver Oak was the vision of Justin Meyer. Entrepreneur and oil tycoon, Ray Duncan had purchased Franciscan Vineyards and approached Justin Meyer, whom he’d met through mutual friends, and asked him to plant and manage his vineyards and winery. Then working at Christian Brothers, Justin agreed, and started Silver Oak on the side. Ray invested in Meyer and Silver Oak was established in 1972.[3] Named after its location between Oakville and the Silverado Trail in Napa Valley,[2] Justin and Ray’s vision for Silver Oak was to devote all their resources to producing a single wine and Justin's favorite focus - Cabernet Sauvignon. Justin's vision was to perfect and make a wine that was 100% Cabernet, no blending.[3]

Founders, Ray Duncan and Justin Meyer

In 1972, Ray purchased a dairy farm in Oakville, in the Napa Valley, which is the site where the Silver Oak Napa Valley winery stands today. It was on this dairy farm in 1972 where Silver Oak’s first vintage was produced using grapes from Silver Oak’s Alexander Valley vineyards. That same year, Ray and Justin began planting Silver Oak’s first Napa Valley vineyard. Seven years later, Silver Oak harvested the grapes for the company’s first Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Silver Oak produced 1,600 cases of 1972 North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon, Silver Oak’s first wine.[2] However, according to David Duncan, quoted in 2007, the company didn't sell wine for the first five years but then sold out for 28 years consecutively, and the company has continued to grow.[2] In 1981, on the site of the old dairy farm in Oakville, Silver Oak broke ground on their Napa Valley winery which was completed in 1982.[3] Growth of the company from 1977 onwards enabled Silver Oak to purchase further vineyards in the 1980s and early 1990s, becoming one of the most successful Cabernet Sauvignon brands of the 1980s.[4][5] In 1994, Justin Meyer brought on Daniel Baron to become his successor. Daniel Baron has served as Silver Oak’s Director of Winemaking since 2001.[6]

Silver Oak Cellars, Oakville.
Historic tower, Oakville.

After being approached by numerous large scale alcohol industries with offers to buy Silver Oak, the partners decided they had different visions for the winery. As Justin's son, Matthew Meyer was starting a small production winery on the side - Meyer Family Cellars - in January 2001, co-founder Justin Meyer sold his share of the company to Ray Duncan. Justin wished to focus on his family business and to maintain this highest belief in keeping business small and concentrated on a passion and more specialized production and quality of wine. Soon after, Justin Meyer died on August 6, 2002, and was commemorated in the Culinary Institute of America's Vintner Hall of Fame at Greystone in Saint Helena.[7][8] Larry Walker of Wines & Vines accredited Meyer with making important contributions in uniting growers and winemakers, reviving the American Vineyard Foundation, where he served as president, and catapulting the California wine industry to a leading player on the world stage.[8]

Silver Oak Cellars, Geyserville.
Double rainbow over Silver Oak Cellars, Oakville.

On New Years Day 2006, the Oakville winery experienced a major flood from the Napa River. The following month, on February 2, 2006, the Oakville winery was devastated by a fire which destroyed the dairy barn, the original structure on the property.[1][9] At the time of the fire, the Duncan Family decided to rebuild the Oakville winery from the ground up. The rebuild began in 2007 and was completed in October 2008. President and CEO David Duncan said at the opening of the new Silver Oak Oakville winery, "Though the fire was devastating, it presented us with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We were able to take 35 years of experience in winemaking and hospitality and apply it to create an ideal space for making our Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and entertaining our guests."[1] David Duncan said, "The new winery is a winemaker's dream. We incorporated all the technological advancements of recent years into the winery's design but made sure we could accommodate changes down the line."[10] The rebuild included using some 550 tons of reclaimed stone from a 115-year-old dismantled mill in Coffeyville, Kansas, installing 1,464 solar panels to generate solar power for the facility, elevating the property 4.5 feet above the flood plain and moving their iconic water tower 12 feet.[1] The Duncan Family was able to salvage the two stained glass windows in the original winery that had been created by local artist Diane Peterson in the theme of the Napa Valley. With the rebuild of the winery, they asked Diane Peterson to create two new stained glass windows. Together, the windows represent the four seasons.[1] In the tasting room, adjacent to the new tasting bar, built from white oak which had previously been a barn in Missouri, is a glass-house library displaying Silver Oak wines dating back to the 1970s.[1] Upon appointment, visitors can be taken on a "Silver Tour and Taste" or a Silver Tour and Food Pairing, featuring foods prepared by Winery Chef Dominic Orsini.[10]

In August 2012, Silver Oak announced the acquisition of Sausal Vineyard and Winery, a boutique winery and vineyard in the Alexander Valley known for its variety of soils which had not been previously available to Silver Oak.[11] In March 2014, Silver Oak Cellars was visited by Hollywood A-listers Drew Barrymore, Reese Witherspoon, and Cameron Diaz.[12] In July 2014, a second generation Napa Valley winemaker Nate Weis joined the firm, a winemaker with ten years of experience who formerly worked for the Patz & Hall Wine Company, Etude Wines, and Antica Napa Valley and Aril Wines.[13] On 24 August, Silver Oak was affected by the 2014 South Napa earthquake, although $32,500 worth of wine was saved thanks to Duncan's decision to install steadier four-barrel racks after the 2006 fire in anticipation of a future earthquake.[14][15]

Vineyards

Vineyards of Geyserville
Winemaker Daniel Baron walking through the vineyards at Silver Oak's Oakville winery

Fruit for Silver Oak’s Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from estate-owned vineyards in the Napa and Alexander Valleys, and from independent partner growers who have a contract with Silver Oak to grow grapes for them.[1] The backbone of Silver Oak’s Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon comes from Silver Oak’s 113 acre Soda Canyon Ranch Vineyard in the Napa Valley where Silver Oak grows Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec grapes.[16] Silver Oak also owns Jump Rock Vineyard, an 18 acre vineyard with rusty-red, rocky soils dedicated to Cabernet Sauvignon. In St. Helena, Silver Oak farms the small 8 acre Navone Vineyard. Its gravelly loam soils help to produce Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Syrah.[16] In Alexander Valley, all of Silver Oak’s vineyards are dedicated to growing Cabernet Sauvignon. In 1987, Silver Oak purchased an 80 acre vineyard they named Miraval, the cornerstone of Silver Oak’s Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Miraval Vineyard sits at an elevation of 200–350 feet with clay and sandy loam soils. In the southern end of the valley, near the course of the Russian River, Silver Oak cultivates the 45 acre Red Tail Vineyard, which they purchased in 1988.[16] It has clay and sandy loam soils at an elevation of 320–340 feet. Silver Oak’s third Alexander Valley vineyard is the 12 acre Geyserville Estate Vineyard that surrounds the Silver Oak Alexander Valley winery.[16] This vineyard sits at an elevation of 270 to 360 feet, with soils that vary from dense clay to clay loam with underlying serpentine rock.[16] Because of the vineyard's range of soils, the vineyard uses two different rootstocks and is divided into six irrigation areas.[16]

Some of Silver Oak's Napa Vineyards in the St. Helena and Rutherford AVAs are managed by Oscar Renteria.[17]

Winemaking

Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon is aged for about 25 months exclusively in American oak barrels.[6][18] Silver Oak’s Alexander Valley wines are aged in both new and once-used American oak barrels and spend an additional 14 months in bottle before release.[6] Silver Oak’s Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon spends about 20 months in bottle after barrel.[6] In answer to the question of why Silver Oak insists upon aging their wines in American oak barrels, Meyer once said, "I'm happy with a cellar of about 65 degrees. Aging is speeded up by heat and slowed down by cold, but the only thing I do to modify my cellar is drink it faster... To my palate, American oak imparts less wood tannin than French oak. I like tannic wine about as much as I like tough steak."[19] The company formed a partnership with Missouri-based barrel producer A&K Cooperage in 2000 to have a steady supply of American oak barrels made to Silver Oak’s specifications.[6] Silver Oak’s Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, produced at the Oakville Winery, is considered to be a wine of deep garnet color with a "complex nose of black cherry, boysenberry, cassis, licorice, coffee and spice."

Reception

In 2007 the Colorado Biz cited Silver Oak as one of a dozen California wineries which "have reached cult status" for its Cabernet Sauvignon production and occupies an "important niche in California's wine industry."[2] The popularity of the wines means that their new releases are eagerly awaited, cited by the The California Directory of Fine Wineries as a "ritual for connoisseurs", and people often camp out overnight to be at the front of the queues.[20][21] Noted wine critic Robert Parker cited Silver Oak as one of the best producers of Cabernet Sauvignon in the Napa Valley. Orange Coast Magazine cited Silver Oak’s Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon as a "beautiful, complex contemporary wine with more than enough polish to stand up to the classics."[22] The Rough Guide to California considers Silver Oak's Cabernet Sauvignon to be the "crème de la crème of the heady red."[23] Frommer's said that the firm was "long known for producing the go-to cabernet for label-conscious big spenders",[24] and Lonely Planet cited the wine as "one of those names that you bring to the dinner table to turn heads" and added that it was "pricey, yes, but legendary."[25] Philip Goldsmith described Silver Oak as a "temple for red-wine lovers," highlighting the "powerful, velvety" taste and "unusual aroma," resulting from aging in exclusive American oak barrels.[26] Oz Clarke described the wines as "forward, generous, fruity wines, impossible not to enjoy."[27] Peg Melnik and Tim Fish described the wine as an "art form," which is "known to cabernet lovers around the country."[28] In 2012, Wine & Spirits Magazine selected Silver Oak’s 2008 Alexander Valley Cabernet as one of "Year’s Best Cabernet Sauvignon," which was acclaimed by critics.[29]

Technology

Interior of the winery at Oakville.
Interior of the winery at Geyserville.

In 2009, Silver Oak’s Associate Winemaker Christiane Schleussner, working with Carlos Macku, Lesa Gonzalez, Ana Cristina Mesquita and Leonard C. Kirch at Cork Supply USA and Cork Supply Portugal, pioneered the commercial sensory evaluation method known as "dry cork sensory screening" for detecting the chemical compound TCA (2,4,6-trichloroanisol), which is responsible for cork taint.[30] The breakthrough process was described in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, Vol. 57, Issue 17 in 2009.

Sustainability

Silver Oak has considered sustainable methods important since its inception. The Duncan Family states that the company’s livelihood and future livelihood depend upon the "ecological viability of the land" and contribute to a better quality grape and wine. The new winery in Oakville, built using reclaimed materials, features 1464 solar panels which provide far more energy than the winery needs and results in 292,000 kilowatt hours sent back to the municipal power grid.[1][31] The building itself was designed to increase energy efficiency and features a fermentation room with a natural air conditioning system. This system expels hot air, allowing cool night air to enter while the room’s large windows and thick walls regulate temperature.[31] The Napa Winery is Green Business certified under the Napa Green Winery Program, administered by the Napa County Department of Environmental Management (DEM), and the Association of Bay Area Government's (ABAG) Green Business Program, meeting the requirements of environmentally sustainable farming such a soil, water and energy conservation.[31]

In the vineyard, Silver Oak practices Integrated Pest Management to regulate harmful pests and have installed nesting boxes in their vineyards for bluebirds and owls to help control pests.[31] Between vine rows, Silver Oak grows cover crops to aid in the growth of organic matter, reduce weed growth, help retain soil nutrients and improve soil structure. Their irrigation system in the vineyards is regulated with soil moisture and plant stress monitors to conserve water application.[31] Silver Oak's Soda Canyon Ranch, Miraval, Calistoga, and Geysersville vineyards have been awarded the Fish Friendly Farming Certification, which is awarded to agricultural properties which help restore fish and wildlife habitat and improve the quality of water.[31]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Oakville's Silver Oak Cellars makes historic improvement". St. Helena Star. 16 October 2008. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "The cult of Cabernet: Silver Oak Cellars soars with single-minded niche.(Silver Oak Wine Cellars)(Company overview)". ColoradoBiz, accessed via HighBeam Research. 1 September 2007. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
  3. 1 2 3 "Our Story". Silver Oak Cellars. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  4. ↑ Dorling, Kindersley; Gordon, Jim (1 October 2010). The Wine Opus. Dorling Kindersley Limited. p. 37. ISBN 978-1-4053-5267-3. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  5. ↑ Quarterly Review of Wines. Richard L. Elia. 2005. p. 54. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Jennings, Richard (6 June 2012). "Silver Oak: Reappraising a California Cabernet Icon". Huffington Post. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  7. ↑ "Justin Meyer Sells Share Of Silver Oak Wine Cellars". Wines & Vines, accessed via HighBeam Research. 1 February 2001. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  8. 1 2 "Justin Meyer's legacy to California wine". Wines & Vines, accessed via HighBeam Research. 1 November 2002. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  9. ↑ Practical Winery/vineyard. D. Neel. 2009. p. 7. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  10. 1 2 "Silver Oak Cellars Unveils New Winery and Tasting Room in Oakville.". Food Weekly News, accessed via HighBeam Research. 23 October 2008. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  11. ↑ "Silver Oak Family Acquires Sausal Family Vineyard and Winery". Food & Beverage Close-Up. August 20, 2012.
  12. ↑ "The Heart of the Valley: David Duncan". Hauteliving.com. 22 May 2014. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
  13. ↑ "New winemakers for Silver Oak and Twomey". Thedrinksbusiness.com. 23 June 2014. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
  14. ↑ "A Quake Reminds Napa Winemakers of California's Faults". Bloomberg. 28 August 2014. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
  15. ↑ "In quake, barrels became quarter-ton projectiles". USA Today. 30 August 2014. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Vineyards". Silver Oak. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  17. ↑ Alan Goldfarb "Tending the Vines of the Napa Valley: An interview with Salvador and Oscar Renteria" Appellation America, November 1st, 2006
  18. ↑ "Silver Oak Cellars". Napa Valley Vintners. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  19. ↑ "Drinking in the sights, wines at Yosemite". Daily Herald, accessed via HighBeam Research. 13 January 1999. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  20. ↑ Blue, Anthony Dias (17 October 2006). Anthony Dias Blue's Pocket Guide to Wine 2007. Simon and Schuster. p. 93. ISBN 978-0-7432-9838-4. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  21. ↑ Olmstead, Marty; Holmes, Robert; Silberkleit, Tom (30 April 2003). The California Directory of Fine Wineries. Wine House Press. p. 55. ISBN 978-0-9724993-1-6. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  22. ↑ Orange Coast Magazine. Emmis Communications. September 1998. p. 49. ISSN 0279-0483. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  23. ↑ Dickey, J. D.; Rough, Guide; Edwards, Nick (2 May 2011). The Rough Guide to California. Rough Guides Limited. p. 613. ISBN 978-1-84836-862-0. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  24. ↑ Poole, Matthew (18 July 2012). Frommer's San Francisco 2013. John Wiley & Sons. p. 402. ISBN 978-1-118-33170-5. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  25. ↑ Bing, Alison; Channell, Dominique (1 February 2008). San Francisco. Con Pianta. Ediz. Inglese. Lonely Planet. p. 313. ISBN 978-1-74104-676-2. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  26. ↑ Goldsmith, Philip (28 November 2007). Moon Northern California Wine Country. Avalon Travel. p. 250. ISBN 978-1-59880-078-4. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  27. ↑ Clarke, Oz (6 October 2009). Oz Clarke - Pocket Wine Guide 2010. Sterling Publishing Company, Inc. p. 280. ISBN 978-1-4027-7124-8. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  28. ↑ Melnik, Peg; Fish, Tim (2 May 2011). Explorer's Guide Napa & Sonoma: A Great Destination (Ninth Edition) (Explorer's Great Destinations). The Countryman Press. p. 87. ISBN 978-1-58157-896-6. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  29. ↑ "Wine Review". Silver Oak Cellars. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  30. ↑ "Silver Oak Cellars and Cork Supply USA Pioneer Use of Technique to Detect TCA in Large Format Corks.". Agriculture Week, accessed via HighBeam Research. 1 April 2010. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  31. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Sustainability". Silver Oak Cellars. Retrieved 3 March 2013.

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Coordinates: 38°26′26″N 122°22′52″W / 38.44056°N 122.38111°W / 38.44056; -122.38111

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