David Duncan, Chairman and CEO of iconic Napa Valley winery, Silver Oak, which also owns Twomey, OVID Napa Valley, and Timeless Napa Valley, leads with a hands-on approach and commitment to continuous improvement. Rather than sitting in an office, he’s often found working in the vineyards, at construction sites or engaging directly with customers. David entered the family business, co-founded by his father Ray in 1972, after completing an MBA in 1994. In 1999, he and his family established Twomey Cellars, producing Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc, and in 2002, David took on a formal leadership role.
A significant turning point came in 2006 when a fire destroyed the Oakville winery, which he rebuilt to become the world’s first LEED Platinum-certified winery. This achievement underscores his commitment to quality, sustainability, and innovation, including developing Berry Sensory Analysis for optimal grape ripeness. In 2015, David secured Silver Oak’s oak barrel quality by purchasing The Oak Cooperage, making it the first North American winery with its own cooperage. Under his leadership, the Silver Oak Alexander Valley Winery was completed in 2017 and is now the largest Living Building-certified winery globally.
A community leader, David has served on several boards, including the Napa Valley Vintners, and supports local and national philanthropy initiatives. He represents the California wine industry and has appeared on major news networks and in national publications. David lives in St. Helena with his wife, Kary, and their three children.