White Oak
In 1981, Bill Myers founded White Oak Vineyards & Winery, Born in Los Angeles, he worked as a building contractor and salmon fisherman in Alaska. During the 1970's, Bill relocated to the bucolic town of Healdsburg, California, sold his boat, purchased his first vineyard in the Alexander Valley and began to make wine.
With his newly purchased vineyard, a tiny tasting room and wine production facility just off the square in downtown Healdsburg, he started making wines. He quickly became recognized for producing wonderful Chardonnay, Zinfandel and what was to become White Oak's flagship wine: Sauvignon Blanc. In 1991, he took home the Sonoma County Harvest Fair Sweepstakes Award for his 1990 Sonoma County Chardonnay.
In 1997, Bill formed an alliance with Burdell Properties to pursue his vision of expanding the winery and thereby creating the foundation of today's White Oak. Don Groth and Burdell Properties brought over 650 acres of prime vineyards in Napa Valley and the Russian River Valley. Shortly thereafter Bill broke ground on the impressive Tuscan-style winery in the most scenic area of the Alexander Valley. The estate is nestled amongst seventeen acres of Zinfandel vines dating back to 1929 and 1935. Bill then added small lots of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc to the estate.
In March 1998, White Oak hired one of Sonoma County's finest winemakers: Steve Ryan. A native Minnesotan, Steve earned a degree in soil science from the University of Minnesota. When he relocated to California, he started his winemaking career -- first at Marietta Cellars, then at Dry Creek Vineyards, Alderbrook and finally he became the winemaker at Martinelli Vineyards. Steve employs a "minimal intervention" and natural approach to his winemaking style. It means using fewer pesticides and a more natural method to fight pests and diseases. While drawing upon his soil science background, this entails the use of indigenous yeasts and the aging sur-lees of wines, to highlight and capture the uniqueness of each vineyard.
In October of 1998, Bill was ready to open White Oak's new tasting room in the Alexander Valley. He was searching for someone with a proven record of excellence in the hospitality and wine industry and a business acumen. Bill hired Denise Gill who had started her career in the early nineties with J. Fritz Winery and had opened the new tasting room for Blackstone Winery. Denise demonstrates a superb talent of managing the different aspects of White Oak's tasting room, organizing lavish and fun events and creating an enthusiastic and knowledgeable sales team.
In 2002, we released our 20th Vintage of Sauvignon Blanc. This wine has already won five gold medals in competitions nationwide. It is a crisp and fruity Sauvignon Blanc with hints of grapefruit and melon, which will be your summer's best friend.
Visit the White Oak website.
| ws | 88 |
Bright fruit notes of black cherry along with vanilla, coffee & chocolate reveal extra demensions of depth and complexity. Rich & supple, with firm but integrated tannins. more
BN#425408
Compare to: $28.90 Price:$22.95 $21.85 Save $1.10 (5%) SKUww_3705 |  |
This Russian River Chardonnay shows aromas of fresh baked bread, dried apricot, pear and toasty oak. Full bodied, with a mélange of flavors including peach, pear and roasted hazel nut. This Chardonnay finishes long and creamy with the fruit supported by toasty oak. more
BN#425631
Compare to: $25.50 Price:$20.25 $17.95 Save $2.30 (11%) SKUww_3684 | |
Aromas of lichee, pear and orange zest with a hint of minerality. Flavors of lemon, Kiwi fruit, pear and Fuji apple complete this wine. The wine finishes long with an enjoyable balance of acidity and fruit flavors. more
BN#425734
Compare to: $18.70 Price:$14.85 $13.65 Save $1.20 (8%) SKUww_115901 | |
Made in a New Zealand style, with strong gooseberry, lemongrass and lime flavors, this wine is bone dry and exceptionally crisp in acidity. It gets the tastebuds watering. more
BN#418954
Compare to: $34.00 Price:$27.00 $23.90 Save $3.10 (11%) SKUww_116654 | |
All sizes are 750mL unless otherwise noted.
Vintages and ratings subject to change at any time.
All pricing and availability subject to change.
Vintages and ratings subject to change at any time.
All pricing and availability subject to change.