When Robert Mondavi and Baron Philippe de Rothschild sealed their partnership with a handshake in 1978, they weren’t just making a deal; they were composing a duet. One brought the restless ingenuity of Napa Valley; the other, the Old World discipline of Bordeaux. Together, they set out to create a wine that transcended geography and time. They called it Opus One, a name chosen for its musical cadence and a nod to balance, harmony, and the art of collaboration.
Along Napa’s Highway 29, the winery rises from the vineyards like a limestone crescendo—modern and serene. Just across from the Robert Mondavi Winery, it stands as both counterpoint and companion, a physical expression of two worlds in conversation. When the first Opus One vintage debuted in 1979, it redefined what American wine could be. Today, that partnership endures, jointly owned by Baron Philippe de Rothschild S.A. and Constellation Brands—anchored by the same founding principles.
The Vision
Long before the estate existed, the earliest vintages of Opus One were made in borrowed space at the Mondavi Winery. When its permanent home finally rose from Oakville soil in 1991, architect Scott Johnson’s design captured the founders’ intent: elegance without excess. The limestone structure arcs gently into the earth, a modernist sculpture. Even the logo tells a story: it’s the mirrored silhouettes of Mondavi and Rothschild, an emblem of their shared vision.
The Wine
Few wineries in Napa embody continuity like Opus One. Each vintage carries the unmistakable stamp of the estate—structured yet graceful, deliberate yet expressive. Winemaker Michael Silacci, who joined in 2001, speaks of his role as stewardship: to protect what the vineyard gives and let it speak clearly. Every release is a single statement, never a series, composed from the five Bordeaux varietals in whatever proportion nature dictates that year. Though Cabernet Sauvignon leads, the blend’s balance is the true signature—one that shifts slightly with each season. (Opus One identifies only as a red wine; it’s an intentional distinction that offers the winemaking team creative latitude.)
The estate’s second label, Overture, draws on multiple vintages to offer a more immediate expression of that same philosophy. Plush and approachable yet disciplined in structure, it’s proof that Opus One’s artistry extends beyond a single crescendo.
Art, Light, and Legacy
To visit Opus One is to step into a world where art, architecture, and agriculture share equal billing. The estate’s interiors blend refinement with warmth, telling its story through objects that span centuries. The 18th-century Medici Engagement Mirror gleams in the grand salon; early artworks by Braque and Miró recall the winery’s early label designs. In the foyer, a shimmering installation by Rosalind Tallmadge—The Four Seasons—radiates gold, rose gold, and mica, transforming with each passing hour. The effect is mesmerizing: light, art, and vineyard reflected in one another.
The Experiences
Opus One offers a trio of deeply considered tastings, each designed to draw guests closer to the estate’s spirit of craftsmanship. Appointments are intentionally limited—no crowds, no rush, just quiet conversation and the sound of corks easing free.
The Estate Tasting ($125 per person) begins with a walk through the “rocky outcrop” garden inspired by Napa’s eastern ridgetops, then continues to the tasting salon, where soft jazz sets a relaxed tempo. Guests sample two vintages of Opus One and a pour of Overture, guided through the nuances of vintage and terroir before ascending to the rooftop terrace for a sweeping view of the valley.
The Opus One Experience ($200 per person) elevates the encounter with an interactive tasting in the Partners’ Room, overlooking the vineyards. Guests enjoy a curated flight of current and library vintages, paired with a thoughtful culinary complement and framed by stories of the estate’s evolution.
For the most immersive journey, Art of the Table ($650 per person) brings wine, cuisine, and art together in perfect sync. Led by Executive Chef Sean Koenig, the private 2.5-hour experience begins with a behind-the-scenes tour before unfolding into a four-course menu that highlights the estate’s seasonal ingredients—some grown and foraged onsite. Even the bread is baked with wild yeast from the vineyards.
A recent menu opened with a 2021 Robert Mondavi To-Kalon I Block Fume Blanc served with pork terrine layered with confit rabbit and mustard béchamel. A pour of Opus One 2012 followed, served with sautéed skate wing accented with black truffle. A whimsical “steak and potatoes” reimagined the duo as prime beef crowned with a bone marrow croquette, was served with two pours: Opus One 2019 and Opus One 2022. (Tasting three vintages of Opus One side by side allows guests to appreciate how each year’s growing season shapes the wine’s character while revealing the consistent craftsmanship behind every bottle.) Pastry Chef Daniela Sanchez closed the afternoon with a pinecone bavarois—a confection of pine nut praline and dark cocoa crumble that looked as sculptural as it tasted sublime. As guests depart, they receive a special takeaway, curated to accompany Opus One’s flavor profiles. It’s a small but memorable gesture, and proof that luxury often lies in the details.
Steadfast Craftsmanship
More than four decades after that first handshake, Opus One continues to set the standard for balance and grace in Napa Valley. Its enduring appeal lies in its steady commitment to quality that is timeless and contemporary. Even as global wine production and consumption decline, Opus One continues to command rarefied status—proof that excellence endures even when the market contracts. As Christopher Barefoot, the winery’s vice president of global communications and marketing, puts it, “People may be drinking less, but they are drinking better.”
Whether you’re a collector, a connoisseur, or simply someone who values craft, a visit to Opus One offers something rare: the chance to slow down, savor excellence, and taste harmony itself.
Reservations for Art of the Table and other private experiences may be made directly through opusonewinery.com.
Photos courtesy of Opus One