Opus One

The story of Opus One begins in Hawaii in the early 1970s, when Robert Mondavi and Baron Philippe de Rothschild met for the first time and decided to combine their expertise.

Mondavi was a pioneer in California and had a significant influence on the development of Napa Valley in American wine.

Baron de Rothschild, for his part, was behind Château Mouton Rothschild in Bordeaux – a Premier Cru-classified estate and one of the most prestigious in the world.

Their vision was to create a wine in Napa Valley inspired by Bordeaux – a wine with structure, elegance, and complexity. It was the first time a top French producer entered into an equal partnership with an American partner, marking the beginning of a new era for international wine production.

The first vintage of Opus One was produced in 1979 and released in 1984, and from the very beginning, the wine attracted attention.

Since its inception, Opus One has been surrounded by prestige. The combination of the Rothschild name and Mondavi’s Californian heritage gave it an aura of exclusivity and quality, and the wine quickly became a symbol of luxury, becoming one of the first Napa wines to be widely sold internationally and to gain cult status – especially in Asia and Europe.

The Meaning of the Name – Why "Opus One"?

The name "Opus One" directly translates to "work one" in Latin and refers to the first major artistic work in a series of compositions – typically used in the world of music.

The name symbolizes the desire to create a harmonious and complete wine with equal parts precision, passion, and aesthetics.

It underlines the wine’s artistic ambitions and deep roots in both tradition and innovation.

Location and Vineyards

Opus One is located in Oakville in the heart of Napa Valley and is one of the more prestigious wine areas in the region.

The vineyards cover approximately 69 hectares and benefit from a warm, dry climate with cool nights, providing ideal conditions for the slow ripening of Cabernet Sauvignon.

The estate’s plots lie at the foot of the Mayacamas Mountains and benefit from a balanced microclimate with warm days and cool nights.

The soil consists mainly of well-drained clay and gravel, which adds depth and structure to the wine.

The key vineyards are To Kalon Vineyard and other surrounding parcels, all cultivated with great care and a focus on sustainability.

The Grape Composition in Opus One

Opus One is primarily a Bordeaux blend with Cabernet Sauvignon as the dominant grape.

Depending on the vintage, it is typically complemented by Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and occasionally a touch of Malbec.

This grape composition creates a wine that balances strength and elegance with depth and complexity.

The wine is known for its dark, deep color, layers of ripe berries, cedar, tobacco, and chocolate, and a silky tannin structure that makes it both age-worthy and approachable in its youth.

Opus One typically exudes European finesse combined with American fruit intensity – an expression of the best of both worlds.

Production Methods and Philosophy

Production at Opus One is characterized by an uncompromising approach to quality. Everything takes place on the estate – from grape cultivation to vinification and aging.

The grapes are hand-harvested and manually sorted, then undergo gentle fermentation in stainless steel tanks and French oak barrels.

The wine is typically aged for up to 18 months in French barrels, a high proportion of which are new.

The focus is on precision and balance rather than extraction and power. Each vintage is adapted to the conditions of nature, and the winemaking team works with a mix of tradition and innovation to preserve the house signature while letting the vintage shine through.

Production at Opus One combines old-school French winemaking with state-of-the-art technology:

Hand harvesting and strict selection: Only the best bunches are selected.
Fermentation: Takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks.
Aging: The wine is aged for approximately 18–20 months in French oak barrels, around 80% of which are new.
Bottle aging: After barrel aging, the wine spends additional time in bottle before release.

This process ensures a wine with depth, elegance, and longevity.

The Iconic Wines from Opus One

Opus One produces only one wine under the main name "Opus One" and a secondary wine called "Overture", which has historically been a multi-vintage blend but has recently been based on single vintages.

The annual production is around 25,000–30,000 cases, which is relatively low compared to demand, contributing to the wine's exclusivity.

The flavor profile of Opus One varies with the vintage, but typically you can expect:

Dark berries (blackcurrant, blackberry)
Cedar and tobacco
Cocoa and coffee
Soft tannins and a long finish

Overture is made from younger vines and contains grapes from multiple vintages, making it softer and more approachable at a younger age.

Best Vintages from Opus One

Over the years, Opus One has had many excellent vintages, but some have stood out especially among critics and collectors.

Among the most acclaimed vintages are:

1997 – A mature classic with rich dark fruit notes and good structure.
2005 – Elegant and complex with long aging potential.
2010 – Powerful and structured, yet with impressive balance.
2013 – One of the greatest vintages in recent years, known for its intensity and aging potential.
2016 – A modern classic with depth, precision, and great elegance.
2018 and 2019 – Recent vintages already praised for their harmony and detail.

These vintages showcase Opus One’s ability to express terroir and vintage character without compromising the house style.

Ownership Change to Constellation Brands

In 2004, the Robert Mondavi family sold their share in Opus One to Constellation Brands – one of the world’s largest wine and spirits producers.

This raised the question: would quality decline under a multinational company?

These fears proved unfounded, and Constellation instead chose to maintain Opus One as an independent brand, continuing to invest in quality and innovation.

The daily operations and winemaking philosophy have remained in the hands of Opus One’s dedicated team, and the partnership with Château Mouton Rothschild remains intact.

In fact, the merger has given Opus One access to more resources and a stronger global distribution network, helping cement its role as one of the world’s most respected wine brands.

Baron Philippe de Rothschild SA remained a co-owner, and the partnership ensured stability and continued focus on the wine’s prestige.

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Frequently asked questions about Opus One

What does the name Opus One mean?

It means "Work One" and is inspired by classical music – a symbol of ambition and perfection.

What grapes are used in Opus One?

Mainly Cabernet Sauvignon, along with Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec.

What does Opus One taste like?

Expect a full-bodied, complex, and silky wine with notes of dark berries, cedar, and chocolate.

What is the difference between Opus One and Overture?

Opus One is the flagship, Overture is more accessible and in older vintages it is based on a blend of different vintages, and only from 2021 is it based on a single vintage.