Cabernet Sauvignon “Alexander Valley” Size 750ML

The Novaks (of Spottswoode fame) invited Ray Duncan for his first visit to Napa and Sonoma. Ray spotted a report published by Bank of America that forecast a significant increase in the average wine consumption of the American consumer which at the time was around 2 bottles per person per year. Intrigued by this as well as the region, Ray purchased his first land in Sonoma County’s Alexander Valley in 1970 in partnership with Jack Novak (100 acres called Los Amigos Vineyard).

Winemaker Justin Meyer left the Christian Brothers monastery to marry fiancée Bonny later that same year. Around the same time, Ray had recently purchased a 258-acre dairy barn property in Oakville, and reached out to Justin, offering to create a partnership in which both men would have equal ownership and Justin would oversee winemaking. After initially saying no to the offer, Justin called Ray the next morning where he was staying at the El Bonita Motel in St. Helena to meet for breakfast, as he had changed his mind.

Originally called Duncan-Meyer, the winery’s first name didn’t sound right or look appealing on the label. Bonny suggested ‘Silver Oak’ based on the dairy barn’s location half way between Oakville and the Silverado Trail. They presented the name to Ray, who wasn’t keen on its sound at first.

It may seem obvious now, but Silver Oak was among the first wineries to see Cabernet Sauvignon as the future of the emerging Napa Valley growing region. Justin and Ray bet big on Cabernet and appellated the first Silver Oak Napa Valley bottling.