Silenus Winery

What is today Silenus Winery began in 1968 as a walnut orchard. The orchard was converted to Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards and the grapes sold to Robert Mondavi, Inglenook and Clos du Val. After discovering that the grapes consistently ended up in the various wineries´ reserve wines, the Winery was born with the first release in 1980 of the Newlan Cabernet Sauvignon. The winery was the 35th winery in Napa Valley post-prohibition, and quickly became recognized for its red wines, winning awards both internationally and domestically. The winery has been in constant operation since 1980 as Newlan Vineyards & Winery and Koves-Newlan Winery and is now known as Silenus Winery.; Located between the towns of Napa and Yountville just West of Highway 29, the winery and vineyards sit snugly in the middle of the Oak Knoll District. The vineyards are blessed with mineral-rich, gravelly soil deposited over millennia by Dry Creek, which borders the northern edge of the vineyards. The close proximity to the San Pablo Bay graces the fruit with warm days and cool nights - the perfect environment for creating small lots of ultra premium wines from the distinctive soils of the Oak Knoll AVA.; Silenus Winery is named in honor of Silenus, the mentor and companion of Dionysus, the Greek god of wine. Silenus raised Dionysus from a child and taught him to focus on the most important things needed for a full life of hedonism and pleasure!; Key among the teachings was the art of planting and caring for grape vines in order to make the best wine possible. During ancient times wines were often flavored and sweetened with honey and so Silenus taught Dionysus how to raise bees to make the sweetest and most flavorful honey possible.; Silenus and Dionysus traveled the lands far and wide and hosted parties. While traveling they always carried with them their Thyrsus, a staff of giant fennel topped with a pine cone.; The Silenus Winery Thyrsus label pays homage to Silenus and combines all the elements that were taught to Dionysus, a Thyrsus emerging from a newly planted grape vine that is encircled by bees. Please join us for an experience you are sure to remember.