February 05, 2025

50: Silver Oak CEO David Duncan On Building a Cult Wine Brand - Business of Drinks

1 hour 1 minute

In the latest episode of Business of Drinks, we sit down with David Duncan, second-generation proprietor and CEO of Silver Oak, one of Napa’s most iconic and beloved wine brands. While many wine businesses have struggled, Silver Oak remains a category leader — balancing legacy with innovation, exclusivity with accessibility, and deep tradition with modern engagement.

David shares how Silver Oak has grown its devoted following, cultivated multigenerational brand loyalty, and stayed relevant across evolving consumer preferences. Whether you're building a new beverage brand or strengthening an existing one, this conversation is filled with valuable insights on staying power, strategic growth, and community-building.

In this episode, David shares:

The power of trust and consistency – How Silver Oak has maintained a devoted customer base for more than 50 years by delivering a reliably high-quality product and never chasing trends.

Cultivating brand loyalty through experience – From release-day celebrations that draw hundreds of superfans to exclusive partnerships with fashion designers and luxury luggage brands, Silver Oak has mastered the art of cross-category collaboration.

The intersection of exclusivity and accessibility – How Silver Oak sells $1,000 limited-edition wine luggage while also maintaining a connected, engaged presence in social media spaces.

How to successfully engage multiple generations – With 40% of its consumers now Gen X, followed by Boomers and Millennials, Silver Oak tailors its messaging and experiences to different audiences while remaining true to its core brand identity.

Social media as a community-building tool – Silver Oak’s Bottle Stories blog and interactive approach to social media create deep emotional connections with consumers, making them feel like part of the brand’s extended family.

How to build a business with staying power – David’s best advice for drinks entrepreneurs, including why patience, brand authenticity, and long-term vision matter more than short-term pivots.

Last Call:

With the U.S. Surgeon General’s new advisory warning linking alcohol consumption to cancer risk, many in the industry are asking: Is this a turning point for beverage alcohol? Erica and Scott unpack the implications of this advisory — and discuss why the sky is NOT falling for the alcohol industry.

Don’t miss our next episode, dropping on February 12.

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Erica Duecy, co-host:Erica Duecy is founder and co-host of Business of Drinks and one of the drinks industry’s most accomplished digital and content strategists. She runs the consultancy and advisory arm of Business of Drinks and has built publishing and marketing programs for Drizly, VinePair, SevenFifty, and other hospitality and drinks tech companies.

Instagram @ericaduecy

Scott Rosenbaum, co-host:Scott Rosenbaum is co-host of Business of Drinks and a veteran strategist and analyst with deep experience building drinks portfolios. He currently serves as North America Search Manager at Distill Ventures. He was formerly the Vice President of T. Edward Wines & Spirits, a New York-based importer and distributor.

Caroline Lamb, contributor:Caroline is a producer and on-air contributor at Business of Drinks and a key account sales and marketing specialist at AHD Vintners, a Michigan-based importer and distributor.

Instagram @borkaline

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