Silver Oak started in 1972 as a venture between entrepreneur Raymond Duncan and winemaker Justin Meyer.
Their goal was to focus exclusively on producing world class Cabernet Sauvignon.
Silver Oak quickly gained recognition for their quality wines and soon became a staple on many restaurant wine lists. The signature profile of Silver Oak continues to be rich, ripe fruit framed by the supple tannin and sweet spice of American Oak. Extended barrel aging means these wines to be enjoyed in their youth, yet the depth of fruit and structure from the oak mean these wines can also age well for decades. Silver Oak itself has an extensive library program, proving to this day that the early vintages are still showing exceptionally well.
Silver Oak continues to produce two flagship Cabernet Sauvignons, one from Alexander Valley and the other from Napa Valley. The Alexander Valley bottling tends to show a richer fruit profile that is more approachable in its youth, while the Napa Valley bottling shows more supportive structure, requiring some age to coax out the finest aromas and flavors. Both wines show extremely well with food.
Today Silver Oak sources grapes from over 400 acres in the Alexander Valley and Napa Valleys. Quality is maintained through precision agriculture, whereby GPS and advanced sensing enables growers to only pick sections of a vineyard that have reached optimal ripeness. Further technological advances in the cellar make sure only the healthiest grapes are used in making the final wine. Justin Meyer retired in 1994, selling his share of the company to the Duncan family, who continue to run the daily operations of the company. With Nate Weis as the current winemaker Silver Oak has seen only three winemakers in its history, speaking to the consistency in quality and dedication at the heart of this American classic.
