Silver Oak Cellars
Silver Oak Cellars | |
---|---|
Ray Duncan and Justin Meyer David Duncan, President and CEO, Tim Duncan, Executive Vice President Nate Weis, Director of Winemaking | |
Website | http://www.silveroak.com/ |
Silver Oak Cellars is a family-owned,
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] In 2016, Silver Oak's Oakville winery became the first commercial winery in the world to earn the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum Certification for efficient energy use; their Alexander Valley winery was also granted the certification in the "new building" category in 2018.
History
Silver Oak was the vision of Justin Meyer. Entrepreneur and oil entrepreneur, Ray Duncan had purchased Franciscan Vineyards and approached
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]
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. 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]
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] The Duncan Family decided to rebuild the Oakville winery from the ground up, which was completed in October 2008.[1] 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 also salvaged 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. Peterson was asked during the rebuilding to create two further stained glass windows—four windows in total which represent the four seasons.[1] In the tasting room is a glass-house library, built from white oak which had previously been a barn in Missouri, 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 in the Alexander Valley known for its zinfandel-based wines[11] and variety of soils which had not been previously available to Silver Oak.[12] The aim of the purchase was to use the land (75 acres planted in vines) to expand Silver Oak's Cabernet Sauvignon production.[11] In March 2014, Silver Oak Cellars was visited by Hollywood A-listers Drew Barrymore, Reese Witherspoon, and Cameron Diaz.[13] In July 2014, a second generation Napa Valley winemaker Nate Weis joined the firm.[14] On August 24, 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.[15][16]
In 2017, the Duncan family purchased Napa Valley's Ovid winery, with 15 acres of vineyards set in Pritchard Hill.[17] They also signed an agreement with the San Francisco Giants, becoming their first official wine partner.[18]
Vineyards
Fruit for Silver Oak's Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from estate-owned vineyards in the
Winemaking
Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon is aged for about 25 months exclusively in American oak barrels.[6][21] 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 is aged in only new American oak barrels and 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."[22] 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] In 2015, Silver Oak acquired A&K, becoming the first winery in the United States to own an American cooperage. Silver Oak now has full control of its barrel production, and have officially called it "The Oak Cooperage".[20][23]
Reception
In 2007 the
Technology and 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][35] 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.[35] 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.[35]
In the vineyard, Silver Oak practices
In 2016, Silver Oak's Oakville winery became the world's first production winery to be granted LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum Certification under the Existing Buildings, Operation and Maintenance (EB:OM) rating system – the highest level of certification granted by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) for efficient energy use. Its membrane bioreactor treats an average of 4700 gallons a day during the winemaking process, and allows for the water to be reused for cleaning tanks and flushing the toilets. The winery employs a CO2 heat pump for sanitizing water and over 2500 solar panels for energy, storing it in batteries.[36] In 2018, the Alexander Valley winery achieved LEED Platinum certification for its new Alexander Valley facility, the first in the world to attain it in the category of "new construction."[37] According to Bloomberg the facility uses "zero toxic materials, solar panels, pure, filtered air, salvaged redwood siding from old 1930s wine tanks and is "wrapped in a sleekly modern, barn-style building".[38]
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.[39]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Oakville's Silver Oak Cellars makes historic improvement". St. Helena Star. 16 October 2008. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
- ^ a b c d e "The cult of Cabernet: Silver Oak Cellars soars with single-minded niche.(Silver Oak Wine Cellars)(Company overview)". ColoradoBiz. 1 September 2007. Archived from the original on 11 June 2014. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
- ^ a b c "Our Story". Silver Oak Cellars. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
- ISBN 978-1-4053-5267-3. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
- ^ Quarterly Review of Wines. Richard L. Elia. 2005. p. 54. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
- ^ Huffington Post. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
- ^ "Justin Meyer Sells Share Of Silver Oak Wine Cellars". Wines & Vines. 1 February 2001. Archived from the original on 11 June 2014. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
- ^ a b "Justin Meyer's legacy to California wine". Wines & Vines. 1 November 2002. Archived from the original on 11 June 2014. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
- ^ Practical Winery/vineyard. D. Neel. 2009. p. 7. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
- ^ "Silver Oak Cellars Unveils New Winery and Tasting Room in Oakville". Food Weekly News. 23 October 2008. Archived from the original on 11 April 2013. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
- ^ a b Weed, Augustus (August 17, 2012). "Silver Oak Cellars Buys Zinfandel Specialist Sausal Winery". winespectator.com. Wine Spectator.
- ^ "Silver Oak Family Acquires Sausal Family Vineyard and Winery". Food & Beverage Close-Up. August 20, 2012. Archived from the original on March 28, 2015.
- ^ "The Heart of the Valley: David Duncan". Hauteliving.com. 22 May 2014. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
- ^ "New winemakers for Silver Oak and Twomey". Thedrinksbusiness.com. 23 June 2014. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
- ^ "A Quake Reminds Napa Winemakers of California's Faults". Bloomberg. 28 August 2014. Archived from the original on August 31, 2014. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
- ^ "In quake, barrels became quarter-ton projectiles". USA Today. 30 August 2014. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
- ^ "California's Silver Oak Purchases Napa Cult Winery Ovid". Wine Spectator. 21 April 2017. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
- ^ "Silver Oak Signs To Become Official Wine Partner Of San Francisco Giants". Forbes. 9 April 2017. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
- ^ a b c d "Vineyards". Silver Oak. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
- ^ a b "Silver Oak is building the state's most eco-friendly winery". San Francisco Chronicle. 18 January 2018. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
- ^ "Silver Oak Cellars". Napa Valley Vintners. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
- Daily Herald. 13 January 1999.[dead link]
- ^ "The Oak Cooperage". Silveroak.com. Archived from the original on 16 November 2018. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
- ISBN 978-0-7432-9838-4. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
- ISBN 978-0-9724993-1-6. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
- ^ Parker, Jr., Robert M. (27 October 1995). "Recommended New Releases - America". The Wine Advocate. 101.
This superb Cabernet producer has finally released its splendid 1991s.
- ISSN 0279-0483. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
- ISBN 978-1-84836-862-0. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
- ISBN 978-1-118-33170-5. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
- ISBN 978-1-74104-676-2. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
- ISBN 978-1-59880-078-4. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
- ISBN 978-1-58157-896-6. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
- ^ "Wine Review". Silver Oak Cellars. Archived from the original on 29 January 2013. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
- ^ "Good Libations Customizable Pre-Etched Limited Edition Holiday Bottles of 2012 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon". Oprah.com. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f "Sustainability". Silver Oak Cellars. Archived from the original on 3 February 2013. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
- ^ "Silver Oak Earns First LEED Platinum Certification for Eco-Friendly Winery". Wine Spectator. 1 August 2016. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
- ^ "Silver Oak Builds First New Winery to Earn LEED Platinum Sustainability Certification". Wine Spectator. 17 July 2018. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
- ^ "Tasting Rooms for the Millennial Era Sprout in Napa and Sonoma". Bloomberg. 27 August 2018. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
- ^ "Silver Oak Cellars and Cork Supply USA Pioneer Use of Technique to Detect TCA in Large Format Corks". Agriculture Week. 1 April 2010. Archived from the original on 11 June 2014. Retrieved 3 March 2013.