Nate Weis, Silver Oak
As winemaker for Silver Oak, Nate Weis is the steward for one of the most prominent and recognized brands of Cabernet in the US. In this episode of the Inside Winemaking Podcast Nate shares how what may be considered an old-guard brand of California winemaking, Silver Oak, is actually on the cutting edge of innovation and is now the first wine producer to have taken an oak barrel cooperage in-house. After rebuilding the Napa winery due to a fire in 2006, Silver Oak has drawn from its experience in winery design and is now building its Alexander Valley facility with the goal of being LEED Platinum certified by its debut in 2017. Part of Nate's role is to oversee winemaking for the Twomey brand, which was created to produce Merlot, but now has a full range of wines including Pinot noir from Willamette Valley in Oregon.
Those interested in working a harvest vintage in New Zealand are encouraged to apply to the Doug Wisor Memorial Scholarship, which provides funding and a job placement at Craggy Range Winery. After working for Doug when he was in New Zealand, Nate now helps aspiring winemakers discover this opportunity to honor a man who was one of his own mentors.
LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
- Silver Oak Main Website
- History of Justin Meyer, winemaker at Christian Brothers and then founding winemaker at Silver Oak Cellars in 1972
- Twomey by Silver Oak
- Doug Wisor Memorial Scholarship: sponsors travel and work at Craggy Range Winery in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
- Groth Vineyards and Winery. Cameron Parry, winemaker for Groth was on the inside Winemaking Podcast back in Spring, 2014
- Sacred Hill Vineyards, New Zealand
- Etude Wines, Napa, California
- Patz and Hall Winery, Sonoma, California
- Antica Napa Valley
- Nate and I talked about the Trans-Pacific Pact (TPP) affecting wine trade with California. It is actually "COOL" that affects this trade agreement, most pertinently with Canada. More info on COOL here from a Wine Institute memo.
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Questions? Comments? Let me know what you think: jim@insidewinemaking.com