The Extra Special Significance of the 2016 Harvest Season

by Nate Weis, former winemaker

I had a physics professor as an undergraduate who had a habit of answering what seemed like straightforward and A/B questions in a vague manner. Some examples:

“Is the universe expanding or contracting?”
His answer: “Yes”

“Is light a particle or a wave?”
His answer: “Yes”

Now that harvest is complete, I’m feeling the same way about generalizations for the 2016 vintage.

Was it a cool vintage or a hot one? Yes.
Was it a sprint or a marathon? Yes.
Was it a big one or a small one? Yes.
Is it a soft, approachable vintage or a structured one? Yes.

At ground level right now, 2016 is a bit of an enigma wrapped in a riddle. That is to say, it’s currently defying any easy definitive statement other than we are extremely pleased with the quality from top to bottom. I expect we have an exceptional vintage on our hands.

2016 was an extra special year for our team. As a part of the Silver Oak and Twomey family since 1994, Daniel Baron has been a mentor, leader, and friend for many and is part of our fiber and lore. He retires at the end of the year, after making a distinct impression on more than half of Silver Oak’s 45 vintages and on every single Twomey wine, guiding and defining their styles and championing our never-ending focus on quality and improvement. His contributions are too immense to list and will continue to reverberate in these buildings, vineyards and cellars for years to come.