The Silver Oak Apprenticeship Program: An Embraced Opportunity

By Angela McCrae

When I first applied to the Silver Oak Apprenticeship Program, I recently left my part-time job at a local Harlem wine shop. I was passionately growing my small business, Uncorked & Cultured, producing winemaker and trade events, and publishing wine lifestyle articles and video content. My “career” in wine began during the pandemic, but there was only so much I could learn from virtual events and online courses to properly build relationships and truly understand the business.

After being named a 2022 Wine Industry Leader by Wine Business Monthly for my advocacy work with the Association of African American Vintners, I knew I had to leave the city and immerse myself in wine culture—in Napa Valley. It was important for me to work a wine harvest in one of the most prestigious wine regions, but I could have never imagined becoming an apprentice with Silver Oak as my pathway to all the possibilities in wine.

One of the biggest challenges for me was leaving family and friends and adjusting to small-town, rural living where stores close early and there isn’t a lot of room for spontaneity. It was difficult to find community. Nonetheless, I delved into the vineyard work during the Viticulture rotation and learned about the various pruning styles, the importance of water stress, and how to spot red blotch and botrytis. My appreciation for Mother Nature grew, and I particularly fell in love with my mornings spent berry sampling in the Russian River Valley and learning to make Pinot Noir at the Twomey winery in Healdsburg. I began to realize that taking a slower approach to life was the secret to a more fulfilling lifestyle.

Becoming part of the “Bunch” and the Silver Oak culture

Even though the lifestyle, daily conveniences and proximity to big-city life were huge adjustments, my new community embraced me. My online acquaintances quickly became in-person friends and were sources of support and access to resources during my transition. I quickly built a sisterhood with the inaugural Silver Oak apprentices, Courtney and Tahlia through dinners and regularly scheduled gatherings in Sonoma they hosted. With the rich company culture at Silver Oak, there were always opportunities for me to socialize and meet other employees, too. I even have a medal or two under my belt from the company’s inaugural 2023 Production Olympics, where our team won first place and I helped secure a big win at the Harvest Intern Bocce Ball Tournament.

With my past work in equity and inclusion, it was also important for me to participate in the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, which is where the Silver Oak Apprenticeship Program developed in partnership with The Veraison Project. During my Production rotation, I connected and learned more about the work of our cellar team and the cultural significance of family and heritage. Through the DEI Committee and with Human Resources, I developed the idea for a Hispanic Heritage Month Spotlight to recognize the various contributions, origin stories and impacts of my colleagues.

But it wasn’t until I reached the Customer Care rotation that I saw firsthand the effect Silver Oak has on customers. I felt the emotional connection and prestige that our consumers share through gifting wines from the Family of Silver Oak to family, friends, and even corporate partners.

Building bridges through wine and inclusivity

The 2019 Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Release Day was the perfect bookmark for my first six months. As an assignment in my Marketing rotation, I shadowed acclaimed Napa photographer Alexander Rubin and assisted behind the scenes, learning how to beautifully capture and stage wine with food. This is part of the Silver Oak Apprenticeship Program that my 20+ year career in media and marketing was able to shine, and I was also able to explore projects in areas such as digital advertising, photography and partnerships.

During Black History Month, I hosted a phenomenal discussion around DEI wine initiatives taking shape within the industry. It created a safe space for other African American residents and wine professionals in Napa and Sonoma Counties to share their experiences of finding community while exploring ways for more inclusivity. Our conversations were nuanced yet centered around the theme that DEI is good for business. I believe understanding the value of intentional efforts to break down barriers within the wine industry will create a more fruitful and sustainable industry.

I hope that my experience in the Silver Oak Apprenticeship Program will allow me to create opportunities for career advancements as a leader at a wine company. By opening their doors and allowing curiosity to thrive, Silver Oak is creating meaningful pathways for cross-cultural growth and company innovation. I’m extremely grateful for the experience and embrace what is to come in my wine journey!