2017 Silenus Chardonnay

Silenus 2017 Chardonnay is grown in the Red Hen Vineyard near the winery in the Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley. Red Hen Vineyard consistently produces complex and intriguing wines that fully showcase the unique Oak Knoll terroir of cool morning fog and mild mid-day temperatures which allow for the longest hang-time and flavor development in the Napa Valley.
Grapes were harvested at the peak of ripeness and gently whole-cluster pressed. After settling for two days, the juice was moved to French oak barrels, 30% new, for fermentation. Wine was aged “sur lie” or on the lees for a full 10 months to build complexity and mouth-feel. Barrel aging provids an elegant layer of oak flavor underlying the vibrant fruit flavors. The resulting wine has a fresh, bright fruit profile with a pleasant, rich viscosity. 

100% Chardonnay, Red Hen Vineyard, Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley

HISTORY

In 1968 a walnut orchard in the Southwestern corner of Napa Valley, in what is now the AVA of the Oak Knoll District, was converted to Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards by Bruce Newlan, a rocket scientist from San Jose who vacationed in Napa Valley. The roots of Silenus Winery were firmly established.

The choice of locating in the Oak Knoll District (OKD) was very deliberate. The OKD lies at the southern end of the Napa Valley where the growing season is longer, providing early bud break and a long, leisurely growing season for optimal, balanced ripeness. 

The cooler nights and slowly rising daytime temperatures create a naturally long hang time for fruit to achieve bright acidity, great texture, fruit-forward aromas and elegant flavors.

Through the 1970’s the grapes from this vineyard were sold to Silver Oak, Robert Mondavi, and Inglenook wineries and consistently ended up in their reserve wines. 

Realizing the stellar-quality wine this 20-acre vineyard produced, Newlan obtained a winery permit in 1978 and began producing his own award-winning wines. In 2008 the ownership changed and the first vintage of Silenus Wines were introduced. 

Silenus Wines are now available internationally and in the United States. The winery remains committed to crafting wines that showcase the vineyards and the Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley.

Silenus Winery takes its responsibility to be good stewards of the land very seriously and have since our founding in 1968. Sustainability encompasses much more than ordering recycled office paper or reducing pesticides in the vineyard – it is an ongoing, dynamic process all staff participate in daily. Being sustainable means running our winery in a manner that puts the health of the planet and well-being of our people in the the forefront of our thinking. We do this each day with every decision we make. We are inspired by our neighbors and fellow wineries in the Napa Valley.