Silver Oak Buys 138 Acres on Atlas Peak

Jeff Morgan
Posted: June 19, 1999

Silver Oak Cellars, maker of an acclaimed Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, has purchased a 138-acre vineyard, planted mostly to Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, high up on Napa Valley's Atlas Peak. The winery did not disclose the sale price.

Because it owns little land in Napa Valley, Silver Oak has traditionally made its Napa wine mostly from purchased grapes. Conceivably, the winery could now have an important estate source for its Napa Valley grapes. Silver Oak will experiment with separate lots while determining whether or not the new grapes' quality is compatible with its current style. "We may wind up selling off most of the fruit if it's not right," said general manager Dave Cofran.

Silver Oak also owns about 250 acres of vines in Sonoma County, from which it makes its highly rated Alexander Valley Cabernet. Co-owner Justin Meyer has a few acres of grapes around his Napa Valley home, which were formerly used in the discontinued Bonny's Vineyard label. These grapes now go into Silver Oak's Napa Valley blend. Additionally, the winery owns a small vineyard planted in heavy riverbed soil next to its Napa Valley facility, but the grape quality is marginal and the crop is generally sold off to other wineries.

Silver Oak's new vineyard was previously owned by vintners William Hill and Carl Thoma, who jointly purchased Parducci Wine Estates in Mendocino County three years ago. The partners recently had a falling out, and although Thoma retained control of Parducci, the separation prompted the two to sell off their co-owned Napa Valley property.

To learn more about Silver Oak:

March 29, 1999
Silver Oak's Justin Meyer Branches Out to Mendocino County

June 15, 1998
Making The Rounds

December 15, 1996
A Calling for Cabernet
His first devotion was to the Church, but Justin Meyer now presides over a "cult" of Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon lovers

December 15, 1996
Silver Oak's Style