Oakville · Napa Valley
Visit Silver Oak with a Private Chauffeur
Cabernet Sauvignon only, aged in American oak, at a LEED Platinum winery in Oakville, and a suggested six-hour day of tasting around it.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Ray Duncan and Justin Meyer founded Silver Oak in 1972 with a handshake and a simple plan: make one wine, Cabernet Sauvignon, and age it only in American oak. The first vintage was about 1,000 cases, made in an old dairy barn.
The Duncan family has owned Silver Oak outright since 2001, and Ray's sons David and Tim run it today. The winery even owns its own cooperage in Missouri to make its barrels. In 2016 the Oakville winery became the world's first winery to earn LEED Platinum certification for an existing building.
Tastings are relaxed and polished, with current releases at the bar or seated flights, and a vertical of older vintages for Cabernet lovers. The bar takes small walk-in groups, which makes it an easy stop to add to any day.
Tasting Fees
$65 for The Silver Oak Tasting of four wines, about an hour. $150 for the Napa Valley Cabernet Vertical Tasting and $195 for the Chef's Table. Private groups of 8 to 15 are $75 plus a service charge.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
915 Oakville Cross Road, Oakville
AVA
Oakville
Visiting
Open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Seated tastings by reservation; the bar takes walk-ins for parties of 4 or fewer as space allows.
Known For
Cabernet Sauvignon aged in American oak
Founded
1972
Good to Know
Guests must be 21 or older, except designated drivers aged 16 to 20. Service animals only. Groups of 8 or more contact the winery.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Bardessono in Yountville or Rancho Caymus Inn in Rutherford.
10:00 · Pickup at Bardessono or Rancho Caymus Inn
Stay close and the tasting starts right away. Bardessono, a LEED Platinum hotel in Yountville, and Rancho Caymus Inn, a small hacienda-style inn in the heart of Rutherford, are each about 10 minutes from Silver Oak. The day below fits a six-hour tour, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:15 · Silver Oak
The Silver Oak Tasting, about an hour ($65), or the Cabernet Vertical Tasting ($150).
11:25 · Groth Vineyards
About 2 minutes away. A family estate on Oakville Cross Road, farming Oakville Cabernet since 1982; its 1985 Reserve Cabernet is known as the first California wine to earn 100 points from Robert Parker. A Taste of Groth is 45 minutes ($50). By appointment, 21 and over.
12:20 · Lunch at Rutherford Grill
About 10 minutes away. Lunch at Rutherford Grill on Highway 29 in Rutherford, open daily for lunch. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
1:30 · Frog's Leap
About 5 minutes away. A relaxed, organic, dry-farmed winery around a red barn in Rutherford. The Rooted in Rutherford experience runs 90 minutes ($100) at 1:30, Thursday to Monday. By appointment. On Tuesday or Wednesday we swap in PlumpJack in Oakville.
3:10 · Back to your hotel
Back by 4:00 p.m., six hours after pickup.
Optional: Alpha Omega
Adds about 90 minutes. A Rutherford winery with fountains and a reflecting pond looking toward the Mayacamas. Walk-ins are welcome when there is space; open until 6 p.m., last seating at 4:30, with flights from $75.
About $215 to $300 per person in tasting fees for the three wineries, paid directly to each winery.
Three wineries is the right pace for a day of serious tasting. This day works Thursday to Monday, when Frog's Leap offers its afternoon tasting; on other days we suggest another winery nearby.
Every tour is custom. This day is a starting point: your chauffeur will shape it around what matters to you, and we plan multi-day tours for guests who want to see more of wine country.
Your Vehicle & Six-Hour Tour Rates
Up to 6 guests
Elite Luxury SUV
Lincoln Navigator or Cadillac Escalade
From $750
Six-hour wine tour, plus 20% gratuity. Additional hours $125 each.
Up to 9 guests
Jet Sprinter or Executive Luxury Van
Captain's chairs and room to spread out
From $1,350
Six-hour wine tour, plus 20% gratuity. Additional hours $225 each.
Larger groups travel in more than one vehicle, and we plan the winery appointments around your group, since many wineries limit groups to 6 to 8 guests. Tasting fees are separate and paid directly to each winery. Every tour starts with six hours; add time by the hour when you book.
Questions
Can you walk in to Silver Oak?
Yes, at the bar, for parties of 4 or fewer as space allows. Seated tastings are by reservation. When you book a tour with us, your chauffeur makes the reservation for you.
How much is a tasting at Silver Oak?
$65 per person for The Silver Oak Tasting, $150 for the Cabernet Vertical and $195 for the Chef's Table, as of September 2026.
Does Silver Oak only make Cabernet?
Yes. Silver Oak makes Cabernet Sauvignon only, aged in American oak.
Can children visit Silver Oak?
Guests must be 21 or older, except designated drivers aged 16 to 20.
Who owns Silver Oak?
The Duncan family, who have owned it outright since 2001. Ray Duncan co-founded it with Justin Meyer in 1972.
How does booking a tour with Bien Chauffeured work?
Reserve a six-hour tour online, even if your plans are still taking shape. Your chauffeur will email you first to learn what matters to you, then build your itinerary and make the winery appointments. Extra hours can be added.
Reserve Your Tour Now, Plan the Details Later
Your plans don't need to be final to book. Reserve your six-hour tour online, and your chauffeur will email you first to learn what matters to you, then build your itinerary and make the winery appointments. Prefer to talk? Call our concierge at 888-291-2328.
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