Opus OneProducer from California, United States

Opus One California is one of Napa Valley’s most iconic wineries, blending tradition and innovation in winemaking. Located in the heart of Napa Valley, this renowned estate began with a meeting in 1970 between two legends: Baron Philippe de Rothschild of Château Mouton Rothschild in Bordeaux and Robert Mondavi, the pioneer of Napa Valley wine. Their vision was to create a world-class Bordeaux-style blend using Napa Valley’s finest Cabernet Sauvignon, merging Old World elegance with New World vibrancy.

The result of their collaboration was Opus One Napa, more than just a wine but a cultural symbol representing the best of both winemaking traditions. The first vintage was released in 1979 to great acclaim, capturing Bordeaux's complexity while embracing the ripe, fruit-forward characteristics that define Napa Valley wines. Over the years, Opus One has become known for consistently producing wines that reflect this delicate balance.

Opus One Winery: A Fusion of Tradition and Modernity

The Opus One Napa winery is as impressive as its wines. The estate’s design reflects its philosophy of blending tradition with innovation. Designed by architect Scott Johnson, the winery opened in 1991 and has become a landmark in Napa Valley. The building’s sleek limestone structure combines classic European elegance with a modern aesthetic, set amidst rolling vineyards.

Inside the winery, tradition and innovation blend seamlessly. Opus One is deeply committed to sustainability, and its winemaking process respects the land. The estate is divided into various vineyard parcels, each with unique soils and microclimates, adding complexity to the wines. Every stage, from hand-harvesting grapes to using gravity flow to move the wine, is executed with care.

Visitors to the Opus One California estate gain a rare glimpse into the meticulous winemaking process. Grapes are hand-sorted, ensuring that only the best fruit makes it into the wine, and each wine is aged in French oak barrels selected for quality. This careful approach, combined with innovative technology, has earned Opus One Napa Valley a reputation for excellence worldwide.

Opus One Napa Valley Wines

Opus One produces two wines that reflect the best of Napa Valley’s terroir. These wines are crafted with precision, showcasing the estate’s dedication to quality.

Opus One

Opus One is the estate’s flagship wine, a Bordeaux-style blend that exemplifies the best of Napa Valley. Each vintage is a careful mix of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec. These Bordeaux varieties are harmoniously combined to create a wine that is both elegant and complex.

Opus One Napa offers rich dark fruit flavours like blackberry and blackcurrant, balanced with refined tannins and a long, smooth finish. Its powerful yet elegant structure makes it a wine that can be enjoyed now or aged for many years. Notes of spice, earth, and subtle oak further add to the wine’s complexity, making each vintage unique, yet consistently reflective of Opus One’s quality.

Opus One Overture

Overture, Opus One’s second wine, is made from a blend of multiple vintages. This allows the winemakers to craft a wine that is approachable yet complex. Overture is made from the same Bordeaux varieties as Opus One, with Cabernet Sauvignon as the dominant grape.

Overture offers a full-bodied, fruit-forward profile with flavours of red and black fruits. The wine has a softer tannin structure, making it more accessible for immediate enjoyment while still carrying the craftsmanship and attention to detail that defines Opus One wines. It’s a versatile wine, perfect for those wanting to experience Opus One Napa without waiting for years of ageing.

The Terroir of Napa Valley Opus One

The terroir of Napa Valley plays a crucial role in shaping Opus One’s wines. The estate’s vineyards are planted on a range of soils, from gravelly loam to volcanic ash, which add complexity to the wine. Napa Valley’s climate—warm days and cool nights—ensures that the grapes ripen perfectly while retaining freshness and acidity.

Opus One’s winemaking process is designed to allow the terroir to shine through. Grapes are hand-picked at peak ripeness, ensuring that only the best fruit is used. The grapes are then fermented in stainless steel tanks to preserve the purity of the fruit.

After fermentation, the wine is aged in French oak barrels for up to 18 months. This careful ageing process adds layers of complexity and structure to the wine, allowing it to develop its full potential. Every step of the process is meticulously overseen, ensuring that each bottle reflects the vineyard’s character and the estate’s commitment to excellence.

A Legacy of Craftsmanship at Opus One

Opus One California is the product of a shared vision between two winemaking giants. The partnership between Rothschild and Mondavi continues to inspire winemakers across the world, and their legacy lives on in every bottle produced at Napa Valley’s Opus One.

Each vintage of Opus One Napa reflects the unique conditions of its growing season, yet all share the estate’s focus on quality. Whether enjoyed now or saved for a special occasion, Opus One represents the pinnacle of Napa Valley winemaking and stands as a benchmark for excellence.