OAKVILLE, CA—On Saturday, July 16, 2011, there was music under the stars in Napa Valley as Silver Oak Cellars hosted The Second Annual Music & Wine Celebration in support of Music in the Vineyards.

Yes, it was an evening of wine and music featuring a Who’s Who of Napa Valley winemakers: Party guests were serenaded by Violet Grgich, of Grgich Hills Cellars who played harpsichord; Judd Finkelstein of Judd’s Hill strummed his guitar; Mike Dunn, from Dunn Vineyards sang; Agustin Huneeus, from Quintessa played cello; Silver Oak’s own David Duncan and his band capped the evening with his guitar and vocals… and there were many, many more celebrated vintners standing in the wings to perform.

The cazulegant (my own made-up word meaning: casually-elegant) event also featured luxury auction items, hors d’oeuvres and the smoky aroma of outdoor cooking.

All proceeds went to benefit Napa Valley’s Chamber Music Festival—which is coming up Aug. 3-21, 2011. Hence, it’s not too late to attend. But, hurry, tickets are already selling out for some performances. Here’s the link, folks.

 http://www.napavalleymusic.org/music/index.htm

What’s that you ask??? Yes, OF COURSE, I tasted their Cabernet during my visit. These wines were graciously made available:

1) The 2007 Alexander Valley (to be officially released on Aug. 6, 2011)

2) The 2006 Napa Valley (consistently good!)

3) The 2004 Napa Valley – This wine was especially nice. SO smooth; wonderful fruit! According to a 2006 story in the Wine Spectator, about 70 barrels of this wine were lost to the catastrophic Feb. 2006 Silver Oak fire. The wine was still in barrels in the “milking barn” which was lost to the flames. I’m told that, today, only the 1.5 liter bottles remain. 

Silver Oak Cellars is not just a great place to visit for it’s wine and special events — it’s grounds are awesome too!

Vineyards (in July) just outside their Oakville tasting room!