Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Wine Tasting in Napa Valley - Silver Oak Cellars

Silver Oak Winery - Tasting RoomMijo and I took Thursday off and drove to Napa Valley to do some wine tasting. We wanted to go wine tasting on a Thursday to avoid the weekend crowd.

The first stop in our list was Silver Oak.  We sampled great Cabernet Sauvignons in their tasting menu while enjoying the beautiful landscape around the winery.


We were accompanied by our friends B&B. Though we got there at 9:30 a.m., the winery opens at 9 a.m.  I think this is the earliest I've been to a winery. The good thing is that Mijo and I had a good big breakfast that morning. 

The tasting room is housed in a beautiful estate where the facade is made of hand quarried limestone. Outside is a minimalist courtyard and a square fountain. The good thing about Napa Valley wineries is that they are great for show and Silver Oak Cellars is a classic example.

Silver Oak Winery - Winery

I did not smell that whiff of wine scent usually present in wineries when I stepped in the tasting room but I did get that Napa Valley winery vibe - large wooden doors, chic interior, low lights, light music in the background, souvenir items, etc.
Silver Oak Winery - Door

Here's a center wall art. I think it is carved wood.
Silver Oak Winery - Wall Art

Their tasting menu is short. They only let you taste two wines. 2010 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon,  2009 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. They let us taste their 2006 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Both wines have good nose, elegant, deep flavors and great finish. The older wine is smoother but I tasted the fruit better in the younger one.

Silver Oak Winery - Wine Glass

In the end, we decided to bring home a bottle of their 2010 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.
Silver Oak Winery - Purchase

A group of tourists arrived and our pourer thanked us for the purchase. She then proceeded to the private tasting room to greet the new visitors.
Silver Oak Winery - Tasting area

They do offer Private Tastings and that is something I'd like to do at Silver Oak next time we're here.
Silver Oak Winery - Barrels in Room

On the left of the tasting room is their cellar filled with lots of bottles of wines.
Silver Oak Winery - Wine Storage

Here is the view of the vineyards from the huge wooden double doors.
Silver Oak Winery - Vineyard view

The courtyard is also dotted with life sized sculptures.
Silver Oak Winery - Lawn Sculpture

We also got this wine pourer and stopper from the gift shop.
Silver Oak Winery - Wine stopper

Silver Oak Cellars is on Oakville Crossroads in Oakville in Napa Valley.

~rl

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