Since their establishment in 1981, White Oak Vineyards of Sonoma County, California has enjoyed a reputation as one of Sonoma’s best wineries.  Not because they spent marketing dollars to get the word out, but because the quality of their wines speak for themselves.  Their wines have won the “Sweepstakes” at the Sonoma County Wine Festival twice. (In ‘90 and ‘06) This award is regarded as the most important wine award not only in Sonoma, but throughout California.

Recently, with the help of investors, Bill Myers (White Oak winery owner) acquired a unique parcel of land in Alexander Valley to expand the operation.  The property contained some sixteen acres of old vine Zinfandel that had been planted sometime during the 1920s and now houses White Oak’s new winery and tasting room, a splendid Mediterranean-inspired villa that Bill Myers designed and built almost by hand.

The new acquisition adds to White Oak’s 325-acre ranch in Sonoma’s Russian River Region that is planted entirely in Chardonnay and that produces unusually high-caliber fruit, and 420 acres in Napa Valley that is planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petite Verdot, Malbec and Syrah.

Myer’s goal has been to do well even in a down economy.  He has accomplished his goal and attributes this to to the fact that White Oak’s wines are perceived as exceptional values in that national and international marketplace.

Gold Medal features the White Oak Vineyards & Winery’s 2005 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and 2005 Syrah for the most recent Gold Series wine club selection. We consider both of these wines excellent values.

Connoisseurs’ Guide awarded  this Cabernet vintage 90 points and names it a ‘best buy’. Wine & Spirits awarded the 2005 Napa Valley Syrah 90 Points.  The Syrah also received a Gold Medal from the Orange County Wine Society Commercial Wine Competition and an 88 from Connoisseurs’ Guide.

Gold Medal Wine Club is also offering the 2008 Chardonnay as a special selection wine.  As a brand new release, when the 2008 Russian River Valley Chardonnay is sent out for review in the coming months, we are confident it will garner both the attention and accolades to match those of its popular predecessors.

“When we started in Healdsburg, there wasn’t any money for marketing or anything. It was simply word of mouth and most of our customers were from the local area. I realized that if I could make wines that impressed these people who had a whole assortment of wines and wineries to choose from, I might just be able to make it. Over the years I have made some incredible friends and they have enjoyed some remarkable wines.”

We hope our Gold Medal Wine Club members will enjoy these wines as much as we have.  As always, we have a limited amount of these wines available for sale in our wine store .  Whether you are a member or not, you can order White Oak wines at discount prices (deeper discounts are available for wine club members).

Enjoy and Cheers!