Opus One

Opus One is the realized dream of two men: Baron Philippe de Rothschild of Chateau Mouton Rothschild in Bordeaux and Napa Valley vintner Robert Mondavi. Together, the founders set out to create a single wine dedicated to the pursuit of uncompromising quality. This mission shapes every vintage, today and for generations to come. Rising gently from the earth around it, the Opus One winery does not rush to reveal itself. The building sits in harmony with its natural surroundings, offering a soft transition from the vineyard to its lush, green grass exterior. Just as it honors the land, it honors the light. Great winemaking begins in the vineyard. When the founders created Opus One, they dreamed of a great wine that would transcend generations. Nearly four decades later, they continue to refine the complex subtleties of Opus One by honoring 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, totaling 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 vision of the founders, the winemaker, Michael Silacci, combines intuition and technical acumen with the dual perspective of viticulturist and winemaker. From tasting berries to careful sorting and extended aging 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 for an additional 15 months until release on October 1st each year. As farmers and artisans, deeply concerned with the collective future, Opus One recognizes that sustainability practices benefit the winery, its neighbors, and its customers. The culture and internal practices at Opus One reflect their commitment to conservation and responsible consumption in the areas of energy, water, waste management, transportation, purchasing, and food. They have been certified as a green winery as part of the Napa Valley Vintners- Napa Green Initiative and is implementing more than 100 favorable and environmentally friendly procedures.