Silver Ghost Cellars Backgrounder

Sleek, pedigreed, and modestly priced, Silver Ghost Napa Cabernet Sauvignon caught the eye of reviewers seemingly overnight, capturing scores in the 90s from Wine Spectator, James Suckling and Vinous by the 2018 vintage, its 6th.  Winemaker Weston Eidson says he inherited the “luxury innovation” knack from his great grandfather, who helped launch the Silver Ghost Rolls Royce in 1909.  Weston named his Cabernet Sauvignon in tribute, with a twist:  While very few can own a Rolls, Silver Ghost Napa Cabernet Sauvignon is a deal for Cab-lovers.

Weston’s inspiration emerged during a vacation in Europe touring legendary wineries.  A key moment came at 400-year old Trimach Estates in Alsace, when Jean Trimbach explained, thriving as a winemaker requires not just tradition, patience and restraint but also innovation. 

It struck a chord, and soon Weston found himself on a path to winemaking.  He traveled extensively to learn the key facets of winegrowing, culminating in a position in Napa with Jason Moore of Modus Operandi.  Weston proved a natural at identifying ideal ripeness, fermentation and aging regimens. 

With no shortage of old-school charm from his southern US roots, Weston developed relationships with Napa growers and launched Silver Ghost in 2012.  He seeks a plush, structured style, by combining valley floor fruit from Rutherford with high-elevation grapes from Pope Valley and Calistoga. The wine is aged 24 months in French Oak, 50% new for a finishing touch of luxury.