The People
The duo behind Silver Trident traveled similar paths to Napa Valley. Walter Jost is a former hospitality company executive. He is originally from Switzerland and has the meticulous attention to detail that is purely Swiss. His globetrotting partner in the venture, Bob Binder, is the cofounder of Oceania Cruises, a luxury operator that reinforced his belief that “average is synonymous with boring.” Bob just gave up the CEO position at Oceania in November 2021. Together, they bring an entrepreneurial spirit that defines the values of this small production house. Walter and Bob aim to produce extraordinary wines that are at home everywhere from a festive family dinner table to the world of luxury hospitality where they made their careers.
Not only are they intent on making amazing wine, they also want to change the wine tasting experience. Their winery’s tasting “home” in the charming little town of Yountville was designed in collaboration with friends from the Ralph Lauren Home Collection and several renowned artists. It’s intimate and inviting, with a warm and beautifully appointed living room. There’s no tasting bar, no rush, no standing on your feet. Plus, everything is for sale. It is a gracious home where you’re always welcome. The space is also home to the official celebrity mascot of Silver Trident. This famous fixture in Yountville allows guests to go home and brag about drinking wine with Keith Richards – the resident wine dog.
The Juice
Sauvignon Blanc is a wonderful summertime wine that we get to enjoy in Austin all year round. Symphony No. 9 is bright and crisp with enough acidity to make it an amazing complement to food. With this offering, we believe that we can turn even the most hard-core chardonnay drinkers into sauv blanc fans. Enjoy the color, the aroma, the flavor, and the tingly feel on the tongue. At this price point there is no reason not to open a second (or a third) bottle for your friends.
The Dirt
The fruit for Symphony No. 9 comes from two different vineyards in Napa Valley and from two different clones of sauvignon blanc grapes. About three fourths of the fruit is from Rutherford in the heart of the valley, while the other grapes are sourced from the warmer Carneros region of Napa. The result is a wonderfully balanced wine with a little more complexity that you might find in a single-vineyard, single-clone offering.
The Taste
Intense pineapple, banana, mango, and coconut aromas lift from the glass right from the start. Give it a swirl and release notes of ripe white peach, lemon curd and fresh tarragon accented with a hint of white summer jasmine. First sip is bright, juicy, and vibrant with bracing acidity that washes over the palate, quickly followed by layers of ripe summer fruit and sweet Meyer lemon flower blossom.
The Spill
Our CEO, Cortney, has a nose for sauvignon blanc. Smelling this wine is half the fun. With every sniff of the Symphony No. 9 she called out a different fruit. How can a single glass of wine smell like lemons, peaches, grapefruit, AND pineapple? Apparently, her nose knows. And that was before she tasted it. Our stock of this wine is a little lower than it was before Cortney raided the inventory to create her own stash at home.
