Silver Oak Cellars

While we rarely write about food or wine outside of the Northwest, we had the opportunity to sample Silver Oak wines at a 40^th anniversary event held at El Gaucho, Bellevue. Wanting to do something fun for their 40^th, they have chosen to drive 12,000 miles in 60 days, celebrating across the U.S., towing a scale model of the water tower on their property, calling it the Silver Oak Tower Tour. You really have to write about that.

The tour began on June 5 and will end on August 4 with an anniversary bash that includes the release of the 2008 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. You can follow the tour on their website or Facebook page: www.silveroak.com/blogs, www.facebook.com/SilverOakCellars.

For Silver Oak, it all started in 1972 when Ray Duncan, who had fallen in love with the Napa Valley in the late 60s and purchased land in both Napa and Alexander Valleys, decided to make it happen. He approached Justin Meyer who was then working for Christian Brothers. They agreed to raise the standards of California wines, and solely make Cabernet Sauvignon which they felt was best suited for the North Coast region. They used American Oak only and aged the wine for nearly five years before release.

Their first vintage, 1972, was from the Alexander Valley vineyards. That same year, they purchased an old dairy in Oakville, Napa Valley, and planted vines. They used the dairy buildings until a new winery was built in 1982. In 1992, they purchased and renovated a Tudor-style estate in Geyserville, Alexander Valley. In addition to tasting rooms, they offer food pairings and space for private events.

Over the years, they have purchased more vineyard land in both valleys. The two Cabernets are blends from the highest quality grapes from the respective appellations. In 1999, they started Twomey Cellars (named for Ray Duncan's mother Velma Twomey) to make handcrafted Merlot. In addition to the Merlot, they now produce Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc.

Justin chose his successor in 1994, Daniel Baron, and they worked together until Justin's retirement in 2001. Two of Ray's sons now run the company. Tim is the Executive Vice President (sales and marketing) and David is President and CEO (production/operations). David arrived in Bellevue having driven straight from Napa with Tony LeBlanc, their general manager, with a late night stop-over in Portland. In keeping with their American theme (American company, American oak barrels, iconic water tower), they drove an Airstream, another American icon. "After months of planning and making this Tower Tour idea become a reality, we were so happy to get on the road. We look forward to bringing Silver Oak to America and hearing our fan's stories along the way," says David.

Photo above: David Duncan (left) and Tony LeBlanc outside El Gaucho Bellevue