Opus One | Napa County

Opus One is the realised dream of two men: Baron Philippe de Rothschild of Chateau Mouton Rothschild in Bordeaux and Napa Valley vintner Robert Mondavi. Together, they set out to create a single wine dedicated to the pursuit of uncompromising quality and one which would transcend generations. Nearly four decades later, the team continue to refine the complex subtleties of Opus One by honouring traditional methods and the continual pursuit of innovation and improvement.

The estate vineyards of Opus One, comprised of four parcels, sit in the western portion of the famed Oakville AVA. Two parcels, totalling 100 acres, are within the renowned To Kalon Vineyard. These are complemented by the combined 70 acres of the Ballestra and River parcels, which envelop the winery. In the vineyards, hand-harvesting and other traditional approaches are taken wherever they work best. When modern techniques benefit the wine growing process, they are researched, evaluated and integrated into practice.

Guided by the founders vision, winemaker, Michael Silacci, combines intuition and technical acumen with the dual perspective of viticulturist and winemaker. From tasting berries to careful sorting and extended ageing in new French oak barrels, each stage of the winemaking process is afforded the same meticulous consideration and attention. After 18 months, the wine is bottled and held an additional 15 months until release on October 1st each year.

In keeping with the tradition of many great Bordeaux estates, the estate produce a fine second wine, Overture. A natural extension of the creation of Opus One, Overture is the timeless expression of the estate vineyards. Overture reflects the winemaker’s artistry by showcasing the talent of blending five traditional Bordeaux grape varieties and capturing terroir characteristics of the same variety grown in different soils. However, Overture’s third blending aspect – that of marrying multiple vintages – yields a softer, rounder expression of the Opus One estate that can be enjoyed upon release.

OPUS ONE