Oakville, Calif.—Silver Oak Cellars is now the full owner of A&K Cooperage, becoming the only winery in North America to own and operate a cooperage. The winery had purchased a 50% stake in the company in 2000, and acquired the rest to ensure production standards and a secure supply of aged stave wood, according to a statement announcing the acquisition,

While Silver Oak has focused exclusively on Cabernet Sauvignon aged in American oak barrels since 1972, the opportunity to purchase the cooperage arose during a period of strong demand for premium American white oak, fueled by the international market as well as the rise in U.S.-produced craft whiskeys and bourbons.

Silver Oak President & CEO David Duncan said that the acquisition will allow Silver Oak's winemakers to control quality standards such as the selection, aging and toasting of its American oak barrels. "Having control over our oak barrel needs and production makes complete sense from both an excellence and cost control standpoint."

Silver Oak General Manager Tony LeBlanc said as sole owner of cooperage Silver Oak will continue to focus on the quality and consistency of its classic 59-gallon American oak wine barrels, prior to expanding into other categories. "We feel that white oak from the geographic area around the cooperage gives us the oak flavor profile and textural components that best complement our wines."

Located in Higbee, Mo., the cooperage was founded by Dale Kirby and his father-in-law D.L. Andrews in 1972. After partnering the with the winery 2000, Silver Oak and the Kirbys purchased several hundred acres of Missouri oak timberland.