Opus One
Opus One Winery is one of the most famous “New World meets Old World” wine collaborations, located in Napa Valley. It was founded as a partnership between Baron Philippe de Rothschild of Bordeaux and Robert Mondavi, with the goal of creating a single, world-class Bordeaux-style wine in California.
The winery was established in the late 1970s, and the first vintage was released in 1979. The estate is located in Oakville and produces a single flagship wine—Opus One—along with a second wine called Overture. The vineyards are planted mainly with classic Bordeaux varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon (dominant), along with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec.
Opus One is known for its elegant, polished, and meticulously crafted style, combining Napa Valley ripeness with Bordeaux-like structure and refinement. Typical tasting notes include blackcurrant, dark cherry, cassis, violet, graphite, cedar, and fine spice, with silky tannins and a long finish.
The winery’s philosophy emphasizes precision viticulture, careful blending, and consistency across vintages, aiming for a refined expression rather than overt power. Over time, Opus One has become one of the most recognizable luxury wines in the world, often positioned alongside top classified Bordeaux in terms of price and prestige.