Silver Oak Cellars

Silver Oak Cellars 915 Oakville Crossroad Oakville, Calif. 94562 (800) 273-8809  •  www.silveroak.com Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon.-Sat., closed Sundays Tasting fees: $20; $10 is applicable toward wine purchase Varietals offered: Cabernet Sauvignon Appointment necessary: For tours and special tastings only Food pairing available: $45 (reservations required) Picnics: No

Silver Oak Cellars’ Oakville winery is all grown up—and it’s been a long time coming. Established in 1972 by Ray Duncan and Justin Meyer, its cult-like following of Cabernet Sauvignon lovers has been strong from the start. But the small tasting room they’ve grown to know and love has changed.

Following a 2006 fire in the dairy barn and a flood that same year, the Duncan family (now the sole owners) decided to use the experience to create an ideal space for producing its Napa Cabernet. In doing so, the family rebuilt the entire winery, offices and tasting room from the ground up. (OK, the iconic water tower is still there—it’s just been painted, re-roofed, polished up and moved a tad to accommodate the new entrance.)

Grand opening

February 7 marks the 2009 release date for Silver Oak’s 2004 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon—and the grand opening of its new Oakville winery. Festivities will include wine, food and music.

The design includes a foundation that’s been raised five feet to eliminate flood worries. This vantage point also offers a sweeping view of the surrounding vineyards. Upon your approach, you’ll notice the courtyard and fountain at the entrance. Inside is a huge stone fireplace made with hand-quarried limestone from an 1890s flour mill; the same stone is used throughout the interior and exterior of the building. The large tasting bar is crafted with reclaimed oak. On the north wall is the “glass house” wine library, and opposite that is the history gallery, with walls made from wood reclaimed from the original winery. The original tasting room’s heavy wooden doors lead from there into the event and dining space.

Upstairs is a private gathering room where you can see the original winery’s stained glass windows by Diane Peterson (and two new ones she created), as well as look down into the “glass house” area. In the rear of the building is a new kitchen where Chef Dominic Orsini works his magic (he has an incredible talent for pairing wine and food).

A solid beginning

The original winery became well known (to say the least) among Cabernet Sauvignon lovers from the start. This is largely due to Meyer’s original winemaking philosophy, which included an extended aging process of its exceptional fruit (in American Oak only) prior to release—meaning immediate approachability.

Today, winemaker Daniel Baron continues the tradition and is director of winemaking for both the Duncan family’s properties (Silver Oak and Twomey Cellars). Silver Oak itself has two locations—Oakville and Alexander Valley. And while this article focuses on its Oakville property, if you’d like to visit its Alexander Valley digs, you can find it at 24625 Chianti Road in Geyserville. Both tasting rooms have the same hours and tasting options, except the Silver Tour and Taste Food Pairing, which is only available in Oakville.

Take your time

If you have some extra time, a reservation for a special tasting and tour is highly recommended. The Silver Tour and Taste is available Monday through Saturday. It lasts one hour and features a tour of the winery followed by a tasting of Alexander Valley and Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and Twomey Napa Valley Merlot. Cost is $30 per person.

The Silver Tour and Taste Food Pairing takes place Monday through Friday. This one-hour and 15-minute experience includes a tour of the winery followed by a tasting of Alexander Valley and Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Twomey Napa Valley Merlot and Russian River Pinot Noir with a special food pairing created by Chef Orsini. Cost is $45 per person.

Collectors’ tastings, which feature six-year verticals of Napa Valley or Alexander Valley Cabernet, are available by calling (800) 273-8809.

You can also join the winery’s preferred customer list online, where you can purchase wine, view special offers and even create a personal “cellar” where you can add your own tasting notes and manage your account profile. You’ll also receive news on the winery’s semi-annual releases and events.

Did You Know?

Justin Meyer (1938-2002) began his career as an assistant to Brother Timothy at the Christian Brothers’ Greystone Cellars, now the West Coast campus of the Culinary Institute of America. He was inducted into its hall of fame in 2008.

The Duncan family also owns Twomey Cellars, which produces Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir and has tasting rooms in Calistoga and Healdsburg.