Newsletter
Recorking Our Large Format Library: 1972-1993
When we saw how effective the “dry soak” method was for eliminating the possibility of cork taint in large format bottles we decided to re-cork our library wines using the same procedure. We’ve always had an extensive collection of vintage Silver Oak wines. Not only is it a tangible record of our history, but we’ve found that many customers love having access to older vintages, particularly in large format bottles. So, to ensure these older bottles were in pristine condition, we started with the 1993 vintage and worked back to the 1970’s, knowing from experience that corks older than fifteen years were the most likely to have some breakdown.
“In all, over 2,500 bottles were examined and recorked...” The project, completed last spring, was no small undertaking and required coordination between our warehouse and winemaking teams. The first task was to test enough large format corks for the project using the “dry soak” method. Next the bottles had to be located and brought out of storage. Our Cellar Crew then unboxed, uncorked and sampled each wine and discarded any with off aromas. The sound bottles were then topped with wine from the same vintage and re-corked using a “dry-soak” tested cork. Finally the bottles were re-foiled and cleaned and returned to their case or wooden box. In all, over 2,500 bottles were examined and re-corked, including magnums, three, six, nine, twelve and even eighteen-liters of Silver Oak Napa Valley, Alexander Valley, and Bonny’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon.
“Customers purchase these bottles for special occasions, so we made it our mission to ensure their experience was enhanced by the wine,” says CEO David Duncan, noting that each re-corked wine carries a seal signed and dated by the assistant winemaker who supervised the recorking on that date. “When you see the Silver Oak name and that seal, you’re guaranteed a great bottle of library wine.”
