Opus One

The history of the estate

Baron Philippe de Rothschild is the proud owner of Château Mouton Rothschild in Pauillac, Robert Mondavi is an icon of American wine history. This meeting of talents boded well for the future. Although their relationship was tumultuous, it was through difficulties, disagreements and questioning that excellence was born. The name Opus was chosen in 1982; it means "work" in Latin.

Opus One Winery gave birth to a unique wine of exceptional quality with the ambition in mind to create the equivalent of a Bordeaux Premier Grand Cru classé. It is this constant quest for excellence that still guides each vintage and will continue to do so in the future.

In 2004, the Robert Mondavi Corp. which owns Opus One was acquired by Constellation Brands. Since then, the vineyard has been run by one person, David Pearson, with a single winemaker, Michael Silacci.

The vineyard: between respect for tradition, a spirit of innovation and a constant desire for improvement

Opus One Winery has 55 hectares of vines planted with Bordeaux grape varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec.

The estate consists of 4 parcels located in the western zone of the famous Oakville wine region, benefiting from an exceptional terroir. 2 parcels are part of the famous To Kalon vineyard.

Traditional methods are used in the vineyards. At the same time, modern techniques are rigorously studied and evaluated.

The current winemaker, Michael Silacci, has remained true to the values and ambitions of Opus One's founders. He uses his intuition and know-how to carry out his dual mission as winemaker and cellar master.

From tasting the grapes on the bunch to meticulous sorting of the berries and prolonged ageing in new French oak barrels, each stage of the winemaking process is meticulously scrutinized. The wine is bottled after around 18 months of ageing, and then kept for a further 15 months, until it is released on October 1st each year.

California's particular climatic conditions can be likened to a Mediterranean climate, with warm days and cool nights.

Environmental protection

Opus One is directly concerned by the future of the environment, particularly in the California region. The winery believes that environmentally sustainable practices benefit the estate, the surrounding area and the final product for consumers.

Opus One Winery is Napa Green certified, a label attesting to its commitment to sustainable development and ecological responsibility. Around a hundred favorable and environmentally protective procedures have been put in place to optimize energy consumption, limit waste production, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the estate's carbon footprint, commit to social equity,...

Internal practices follow a policy of responsible and reasoned consumption in the use of resources and the treatment of vines.

Opus One wine

Opus One is an elegant, abundant wine with a strong personality. Its complex aromas of red fruits, spices, flowers, cocoa and citrus make it a true taste experience.

Opus One is both rich and smooth. Each vintage has its own peculiarities, with grape variety proportions varying from year to year, while Cabernet Sauvignon remains the wine's main framework, testifying to meticulous craftsmanship.

Every stage of the winemaking process is subject to the same exacting standards and attention to detail. It's this uncompromising approach that allows Opus One to emerge year after year, and continue to inspire wine connoisseurs and neophytes alike.