The Silver Oak Winery #163
Silver Oak: Timeless Craftsmanship
“It takes just as long to produce a bottle of Cabernet today as it did in 1972. And that’s just fine with Silver Oak, because what matters most is timelessness.” Silver Oak began with a handshake between two friends who shared a bold vision: to focus exclusively on one varietal – Cabernet Sauvignon – aged in American oak and worthy of cellaring for decades. Founded in 1972 by Colorado entrepreneur Ray Twomey Duncan and Christian Brothers-trained winemaker Justin Meyer, the winery started in a repurposed Napa Valley dairy barn, producing just 1,000 cases of its inaugural vintage. Over the next two decades, Silver Oak grew into one of the most sought-after wines in America. The Napa Valley and Alexander Valley Cabernets quickly became staples on restaurant wine lists nationwide. In 1994, Justin Meyer selected Daniel Baron as his successor, and in 2001, he sold his share of Silver Oak to the Duncan family.
Today, Ray’s sons, David and Tim Duncan, continue to uphold the winery’s legacy, ensuring that it remains a leader in winemaking excellence. Following a devastating fire in 2006 that destroyed the historic Oakville winery, Silver Oak rebuilt a state-of-the-art, eco-friendly facility. In 2016, the Napa Valley winery became the world’s first to receive LEED Platinum certification for Existing Buildings, Operations, and Maintenance (EBOM). A decade later, the Alexander Valley winery raised the bar again, achieving LEED Platinum for Building Design and Construction (BD+C) with a net-zero water and energy footprint.
Continuous Improvement
“We have yet to make our best bottle of wine” is the guiding philosophy at Silver Oak. With over 400 acres of estate vineyards in Napa Valley and Alexander Valley, the winery employs precision viticulture to minimize environmental impact while maximizing quality. Since 2014, winemaker Nate Weis has overseen all grape-growing and production operations, continuing a tradition of mentorship and excellence passed down from Justin Meyer to Daniel Baron.
Elevating the Experience: Where Food and Wine Unite
Beyond its legendary Cabernet Sauvignon, Silver Oak has developed new brands that reflect a spirit of innovation and sustainability:
- Twomey explores the potential of Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc, sourcing grapes from premium vineyards along the Pacific Coast, from California’s Central Coast to Oregon.
- OVID Napa Valley is a 15-acre, organically farmed vineyard on Pritchard Hill, where winemaker Austin Peterson experiments with classical and cutting-edge techniques.
- Timeless Napa Valley, a tribute to co-founder Ray Duncan, is a single-vineyard expression from Soda Canyon Ranch, crafted by winemaker Nate Weis.
Silver Oak believes in the symphony of food and wine pairing. With lower alcohol, bright fruit profiles, and finely integrated tannins, its wines complement a wide range of cuisines. State-of-the-art kitchens, wood-fired ovens, and Stagionello meat-curing cabinets provide the foundation for an exceptional culinary experience, integrating seasonal ingredients grown on-site.
What does sustainability means to us?
Named “California’s Most Eco-Conscious Winery” by The San Francisco Chronicle, Silver Oak is committed to sustainability. Its holistic approach includes:
- LEED Platinum Certification: Both the Oakville and Alexander Valley wineries have achieved the highest level of sustainable building certification.
- Precision Viticulture: Utilizing cutting-edge technology to optimize water use and monitor vineyard health.
- Water Conservation: A membrane bioreactor (MBR) at Alexander Valley treats 100% of cellar water, reducing potable water needs by 37%.
- Energy Efficiency: Solar panels provide nearly half of the energy needs at Oakville and generate 105% of electricity at Alexander Valley, with night-air cooling and LED lighting reducing overall consumption.
For over 50 years, Silver Oak has remained true to its founding values of integrity, quality, and originality. With cutting-edge wineries, a steadfast commitment to sustainability, and a relentless pursuit of excellence, the next 50 years promise to be even brighter.
