Home to some of the most sought-after Cabernet Sauvignon in America, Napa Valley’s Oakville district stretches across the center of Napa's valley floor and foothills between the Vaca and Mayacamas Mountains. 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 The estate vineyards of Opus One, comprised of four parcels, sit in the western portion of the famed Oakville AVA in Napa Valley. It remains an ongoing testament to the founders’ vision of a singular wine that transcends generations. Rising gracefully from the vineyards, Opus One winery stands in subtle celebration of the land and the open space that surrounds the estate. Guided by the vision of our founders, 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 Opus One wine is bottled and held an additional 15 months until release on October 1st each year. Place, often defined as terroir, represents the geography, the climate and the essential human element which is captured in the wine’s balance between power and finesse, structure and texture. The essence of time is expressed in Opus One wine by the character of each vintage. The facial profile of the two founders is visible on their iconic label. Producing luxury wines from its Napa Valley vineyards, the partnership made its first vintage in 1979 and has made wine at Opus One since 1991. Opus One is a partnership founded by Baron Philippe de Rothschild of Chateau Mouton Rothschild in Pauillac, France, and renowned Napa Valley vintner, Robert Mondavi. The length of ageing in barrique barrels ranged from 15 to 24 months.Learn about Opus One, it’s history, the winery and the wine. In the period 1979 to 2001, the proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon ranged from 80% to 97%, which roughly corresponds to a classic Bordeaux blend from the left bank of the Gironde. The wine was made from the varieties Cabernet Sauvignon (80%), Cabernet Franc (16%) and Merlot (4%) and aged for 24 months in 100% new barriques. The first experimental red wine was produced in 1979 by Lucien Sionneau of Château Mouton-Rothschild and Thimothy Mondavi.

The name 'Opus One', however, was not decided until 1983. According to eyewitness reports, the concept was fixed within an hour at a meeting in Bordeaux in 1978. The idea was born in 1970 at a meeting in Hawaii. It was founded as a 50:50 joint venture by wine legends Baron Philippe de Rothschild (1902-1988) and Robert Mondavi (1913-2008) in 1979 with the aim of producing a Bordeaux-style wine in California. The vineyards cover 110 hectares of vines. The famous winery is located in the Oakville AVA in California's Napa Valley.

Opus one 2004 vintage tasting notes