Winemaker Notes
Family-owned for 50 years, Silver Oak produces Cabernets aged exclusively in American oak. Its exceptional, food-friendly wines are both drinkable upon release and worthy of cellaring for decades to come. Ray Duncan founded Silver Oak with Justin Meyer in 1972, and it’s now owned and operated by Ray’s sons, David and Tim, with a commitment to innovative and sustainable viticulture practices across its vineyard properties, winemaking facilities, tasting rooms and cooperage. Silver Oak Alexander Valley has been called the world's greenest winery by The San Francisco Chronicle. Constructed between 2012-2018 the winery was built around the production of just one wine: Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, a staple of restaurant lists nationwide for more than 45 years. Featuring panoramic views of Silver Oak’s 70 acres of prime Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards and surrounding 115-acre estate, the historic property features excellent volcanic soil profiles set amidst the rolling bench lands of Northern Sonoma County.
Undoubtedly proving its merit over and over, Napa Valley is a now a leading force in the world of prestigious red wine regions. Though Cabernet Sauvignon dominates Napa Valley, other red varieties certainly thrive here. Important but often overlooked include Merlot and other Bordeaux varieties well-regarded on their own as well as for their blending capacities. Very old vine Zinfandel represents an important historical stronghold for the region and Pinot noir is produced in the cooler southern parts, close to the San Pablo Bay.
Perfectly situated running north to south, the valley acts as a corridor, pulling cool, moist air up from the San Pablo Bay in the evenings during the hot days of the growing season, which leads to even and slow grape ripening. Furthermore the valley claims over 100 soil variations including layers of volcanic, gravel, sand and silt—a combination excellent for world-class red wine production.