Opus One
Joint venture between Baron Philippe de Rothschild (Château Mouton-Rothschild) and Robert Mondavi. A Cabernet-led Bordeaux-style blend grown in Napa Valley’s Oakville AVA.
About Opus
Opus One was conceived as a joint venture between Baron Philippe de Rothschild of Château Mouton-Rothschild and Robert Mondavi of Napa Valley in 1979 — the first major collaboration between Bordeaux and American premium winemaking. The estate produces a single grand vin (plus the Overture second wine) from Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated vineyards in the Oakville AVA of Napa Valley. Stylistically, Opus One sits between Bordeaux elegance and Napa power — the wine has fully ripe Napa Cabernet fruit but the structural restraint and ageability of First Growth Bordeaux. The Mondavi family’s holdings have changed (Mondavi was acquired by Constellation Brands in 2004), but the joint-venture management between Baron Philippe de Rothschild SA and Constellation has continued the original editorial vision. The winery building (designed by Scott Johnson) is one of Napa’s most architecturally significant.
Flagship wines
- Opus One (grand vin)
- Overture (second wine)
Editorial notes
Cellars 15-25 years from strong vintages. The 1991, 1997, 2001, 2005, 2007, 2010, 2013 are landmark vintages. Cellaring is essential — Opus One opens slowly and shows poorly when young.