The Untold Story of Release Day

We are humbled that so many of our fans return to Silver Oak year after year to celebrate life’s special moments. In particular, Release Day is one of our favorite times each year. It’s a festive day filled with delicious food, fantastic wine and hundreds of our friends and fans. For over 30 years, we’ve hosted two Release Days each year—a Napa Valley Cabernet Release Day on the first Saturday in February and an Alexander Valley Cabernet Release Day on the first Saturday in August.

Truth be told, Release Day was inspired by you, our fans. In our early years, when we released a new vintage, customers would line our driveway before we opened (some even camped overnight!) to make sure they could purchase our latest bottling. (With smaller production, in those days we would often sell-out of a new vintage the day it was released.) As the years went on, the crowds became bigger and bigger. With many of our closest friends and supporters already on our doorstep, we thought what better excuse to throw a big ol’ party?

The best part of Release Day is seeing you, our fans. Take Dennis Hein, who has been to more than 50 (yes, 50!) consecutive Release Days. Dennis travels twice each year from his home in Nebraska to celebrate with us.

“Silver Oak makes some great wines,” he says. “But what really impresses me is the Silver Oak people. They treat me like I’m part of their family. I truly appreciate the hospitality and friendship. I get personal greetings from friends in shipping, the tasting room, sales people and the Duncans. The quality and reputation of Silver Oak got me here. The people keep me coming back.”

As a token of our appreciation, on his 50th Release Day, we presented Dennis with an embossed barrel head and a 12-Liter bottle of our 1991 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, engraved with all the years that he has attended Release Day.

To all of our fans, thank you! You are the driving force behind all that we do. As we like to say, “We have yet to make our best bottle of wine.” Because, with each vintage (and Release Day!), we seek to share with you our best wine yet.