Opus One

United States, California, Napa Valley

Like many Napa wineries, the history of Opus One is short, but it packs a punch, born of two legendary winemaking families: Mondavi and Mouton Rothschild. Robert Mondavi and Baron Philippe Rothschild became friends in 1970, and combined their winemaking nous in 1979 to create a vintage that was an instant hit with wine lovers on both sides of the Atlantic. Released in 1984, it was the most expensive Californian wine of the time. Its immediate success showed the founders their partnership had legs, and in the same year more acres were added to the Opus One venture, and design began on their architecturally-progressive winery.

The brand quickly established itself as a leading Californian label, both at home and abroad. After a long career at the helm of Chateau Mouton Rothschild, Philippe de Rothschild died in 1988 at the age of 86, succeeded by his daughter Baroness Philippine de Rothschild. Four years before Robert Mondavi’s death in 2008, he relinquished his share in Opus One and sold it to wine conglomerate Constellation Brands. Nowadays the estate it is owned jointly by Constellation Brands and Baronne Philippe de Rothschild S.A., and continues to enjoy worldwide acclaim.

Winemaker & owner

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, our founders set out to create a single wine dedicated to the pursuit of uncompromising quality. This singular mission shapes every vintage, today and for generations to come.

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 winegrowing process, they are researched, evaluated and integrated into practice.

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“Wine to me is passion. It’s family and friends. It’s warmth of heart and generosity of spirit.”

 

Winemaking

Our philosophy

Wine is born, then it lives. But it never dies, in man it lives on.

  • Built to honor the vision of Robert Mondavi and Baron Philippe de Rothschild

  • The wine captures the terroir, climate and the essential human elements

  • Exclusive balance between power and finesse, structure and texture.

  • En primeur wine with extraordinary scores from Robert Parker and Decanter

Collection

Our wines

 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, our founders set out to create a single wine dedicated to the pursuit of uncompromising quality.
Opus One

United States, California, Napa Valley

Opus One

78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, 6% Cabernet Franc en 2% Malbec, Napa Valley, United States

The wine has intense aromas of black plum, blueberry, black currant, and dried rose petals, accentuated by mineral undertones. The creamy, satiny texture is framed by fine-grained tannins. The freshness and soft glow of acidity create a subtle tension with dark fruit flavors, savory herbs, espresso, and cocoa. A delicate dark chocolate bitterness lingers on the finish.