Newsletter
Dear Friends,
While the economic climate is as challenging as it’s ever been, we still find many reasons to be optimistic. The 2009 harvest - a real beauty - is safely in the winery. Our 2005 Napa Valley Cabernet is on the cusp of release. And our customers, particularly those we’ve known for many years, are as loyal as we could ask.
In times of uncertainty people are drawn back to their comfort zones, returning to what’s familiar and reliably good. If they make a purchase, it has to be a sure thing - be it a classic cashmere sweater, a restaurant they’ve always loved or a wine that’s never let them down. We think this is one of the reasons our customers continue to enjoy Silver Oak, and for that we are very thankful.
On the following pages we describe several of the innovative programs we’ve put into place to ensure our wines “never let you down.” We’re particularly excited about our quality control protocol which virtually guarantees our large-format bottles - both our current releases and library wines - are free of cork taint. And our employee spotlight, focusing on Master Cooper Craige Roberts, outlines some positive developments at A&K Cooperage, the barrel-making facility we own in partnership with the Kirby family.
“In times of uncertainty people are drawn back to their comfort zones, returning to what’s familiar and reliably good.” We hope you’ll give Chef Dominic Orsini’s recipe a try, ideally with a bottle of our 2005 Napa Valley Cabernet. The much anticipated ‘05 vintage was one, as Winemaker Daniel Baron likes to say, where the stars were in alignment. Good spring weather and moderate temperatures through the summer made for excellent quality and quantity, and many were predicting “excellent” and “outstanding” wines from the North Coast. With the extra years of bottle age, the 2005 Silver Oak Napa Valley is just arriving at its full potential. It’s a luminous wine that will provide pleasurable drinking for years to come.
All Our Best,
The Duncan Family
