Capturing Time and Place

Opus One is the product of two families who share a passion for wine and a desire to explore new possibilities. Today, our world expands far beyond the present of each vintage. Just as we look back on experience, we are always looking forward for inspiration.

Share in the essence of winemaking, our Napa Valley Estate, and experiences beyond the vineyard. #opusonemoments

December 2025

To encourage natural predator activity, Opus One has installed bird boxes and perches throughout the Estate. These boxes provide safe, sheltered habitats for beneficial species such as owls, songbirds, bluebirds, wood ducks, kestrels, and other raptors. By supporting these predators, we help maintain the ecological balance of our vineyard agroecosystem and reduce reliance on human intervention.

In 2021, the Opus One team came together to shape our 2030 Vision – a roadmap that defines the behaviors and actions most vital to our employees, our community, and our planet. One of the key initiatives born from this vision was a commitment to being globally responsible across every facet of our organization, from vineyard to table. By nurturing our deep connection with the land, we honor an intimate, symbiotic relationship that ultimately reveals itself in every glass we share.

Globally Responsible

November 2025

During the initial research phase of the Opus One enhancements project led by landscape architecture firm Reed Hilderbrand, the Berms and Courtyard – gracefully perched atop the Grand Chai – presented a distinct challenge: how to establish native and drought-tolerant species on a structural surface. This required more than conventional soil; it called for a precisely engineered growing medium – designed soils capable of supporting healthy root systems, adhering to strict weight limitations, and retaining moisture without excessive drainage.

The existing soil was incompatible with the newly selected plant species. Its high silt and clay content led to compaction, which inhibited water infiltration, root elongation, and the gas exchange vital for vigorous plant growth.

Guided by our unwavering commitment to absolute quality and thoughtful detail, a specialized soil blend was developed to meet the site’s unique needs. Created in collaboration with soil scientist Timothy Craul of Craul Land Scientists, the designed soils blend was tailored to both structural and horticultural requirements – lightened with sand to resist compaction, layered to retain moisture long enough to nourish root systems, and composed to sustain vibrant life even within the Courtyard’s shallow beds.

To ensure stability on the sloped Berms, a coarse, protective mulch was applied to the outermost layer. This textured surface softens the impact of rainfall and slows water infiltration, giving young, low-water-use plants the time they need to establish strong, resilient roots. As the landscape matures, these plants will naturally stabilize the soil, allowing the mulch to be gradually phased out – marking the evolution of a water-wise, enduring landscape.

As this new growth unfolds, its textures will echo the surrounding terrain, visually drawing the experience into the winery and deepening Opus One’s profound connection to the land.

November 2025

At Opus One, selecting cover crop mixes is an intentional process rooted in our commitment to regenerative farming and ecosystem stewardship.

We consider a wide range of factors – from biodiversity and blooming succession to sap flow availability for pollinators – to ensure each mix supports the health and vitality of the vineyard and its surrounding environment.

Each vineyard block is evaluated individually, factoring in performance history, soil structure, nutrient needs, and water drainage capacity. We prioritize species with appropriate height and root structure for our low-growing vines and favor those compatible with grazing practices. Our custom mixes include species such as crimson clover, blando brome, and diverse fescue varieties like Zorro, Molate, and Mokelumne.

Because of our vine architecture, we seed by hand beneath the row in certain vineyard blocks and use tractors for the row middles.

Taking action today for a more resilient tomorrow, we’re introducing a diverse range of cover crop species at high application rates to establish a permanent seed bank. This approach allows natural reseeding, reducing future planting needs and minimizing tractor passes.

By thoughtfully integrating cover crops into our vineyard management, we enhance soil health, increase both short- and long-term carbon sequestration, and promote biodiversity above and below ground.

November 2025

A note from CEO Chris Lynch

The last few months at Opus One have been a whirlwind of activity. Harvest began on September 11th, following a mild, cool growing season. After each harvest day, our winemaker, Michael Silacci, sent an email to our team describing the day’s events. His messages were whimsical and full of appreciation for the incredible efforts of our vineyard and winery crews. I find Michael’s reflections to be truly inspirational, capturing the remarkable journey of our harvest. Now, vintage 2025 has moved to barrel, and we believe it is exceptional.

While harvest was in full swing, so was the enhancements project on our berms. We are transforming our landscape to feature drought-tolerant plants and reduce water needs. My office overlooks the courtyard beneath our south berm, and I have “felt” the progress each week as heavy equipment removed turf and soil, installed new waterproofing, and regraded the slopes in preparation for new irrigation and plantings. I cannot wait to celebrate later this year when the planting is complete, and the equipment is gone!

One of the most meaningful moments this fall was our annual Blessing of the Grapes, offered by a friar from the Carmelite House of Prayer in Oakville. This year, our colleague Mirka Garcia Alonzo shared her family’s story of migrating from a small village in Mexico to the Napa Valley, where her grandparents and parents found work and built a life. She spoke of the values her family holds – hard work, dedication, and trust – which mirrored my own. At Opus One, we hold the individual, the family, and the community as core values, and Mirka’s heartfelt speech was a beautiful reflection of that. We are fortunate to have both Mirka and her mother, Alejandra, as part of our team.

We also celebrated the release of vintage 2022, a wine born from a challenging growing season. During harvest, extreme temperatures required a delicate dance by our seasoned vineyard team. Thanks to their foresight and skill – harvesting ripe fruit early and applying selective irrigation – the results are remarkable. Opus One 2022 showcases marvelous flavors and exceptional freshness.

These same weather patterns shaped Overture 2022, which captivates from the first sip. Its aromatic profile weaves a complex tapestry of bright cherry, fresh forest berries, and cut rose stems, interlaced with delicate notes of violets, toasted almond, and anise. On the palate, blackberry, blueberry, and wild cherry take the lead, complemented by a lively acidity. This expression of selected parcels from our estate vineyards promises to age gracefully for years to come.

I’m delighted to extend the opportunity for you to acquire Overture for your family and friends. It will surely be a welcome addition to your collection.

On behalf of our entire team, I wish you a joyous holiday season and much happiness in the New Year.

Very Sincerely,
Chris Lynch, CEO

October 2025

A note from Winemaker Michael Silacci

It’s often the most challenging years that inspire us the most.

In 2022, we leaned into two of our Core Values – Purity of Focus and Attention to Detail – as we faced off with Mother Nature in an aikido match.

The season began with cool, dry weather, only to be punctuated by sudden heat spikes. Then, in late August, with warnings of an oncoming heatwave reaching a siren pitch, we gave the vines a much-needed drink to help them through – just like children cooling off in lawn sprinklers.

As if by fate, the song “Umbrella” played on my way to work, its lyrics of resilience striking a chord. That was all the inspiration we needed to make the bold decision: we picked right into the heart of the heat dome.

The result? A wine of intensity, brightness, and balance – full of finesse and savory undertones. It is not just flavor – it’s full-on umami – layered, intriguing, and full of plot twists, with a finale you won’t see coming.

Sincerely,

Michael Silacci

Acquire Opus One 2022

September 2025

La flame chrysanthème ourlait ton fauteuil

Ta chienne rêvait engourdie

Voies délavées gîtes refroidis

Farandoles effarouchées des feuilles

L’âtre jaloux lançait ses étincelles d’or

Au vent qui se vantait de me voler ton corps

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“Freckles” – 1946

Baron Philippe de Rothschild

Autumn

Your chair was hemmed in chrysanthemum fire

Twitching dozing your dreaming hound

Washed-out pathways chill rooms cold ground

Startled leaves rising in whirling spiral

The jealous hearth spat out its streaming sparks of gold

To the wind that bragged to me of stealing your folds

September 2025

Harvest marks the close of a growing season and the beginning of a promising new chapter – one thoughtfully captured to live on in bottle. With care and dedication, our winemaking and vineyard teams have diligently walked the rows, monitored flavor development, and ensured that the Estate’s holistic systems continue to thrive. This moment marks the pinnacle of the 2025 season.

“The 2025 season is shaping up to be another exceptional vintage. The weather during the growing season has been mild, leaning towards cool. While a few hot days closed out the month of August, our team remained composed and proactive – working together to implement thoughtful viticultural practices that have guided the vines smoothly into the home stretch,” says Winemaker Michael Silacci.

Opus One looks forward to sharing this vintage with you in the years to come. Celebrate this moment with us by uncorking a bottle of Opus One and letting new, lasting memories unfold.

August 2025

As harvest draws near, the Opus One Estate vineyards show promise of an exceptional vintage.

The winemaking team is actively walking the vineyards, tasting berries to closely monitor flavor development. With harvest anticipated in mid-September, preparations are well underway – from maintenance on harvest equipment and tractors to readying bins and barrel racks.

In the cellar, we successfully completed the bottling of Opus One and Overture 2023, allowing the wines to begin their next chapter in bottle. Meanwhile, we are welcoming a new arrival: pristine French oak barrels for this year’s vintage, setting the stage for another remarkable season of winemaking.

August 2025

At Opus One, our culinary philosophy – led by Executive Chef Sean Koenig – begins in our three Estate gardens: the newly-planted Rock Garden along the North Entrance, our Orchard, and the Raised Garden.

Each herb and edible flower in the Rock Garden is chosen with intent, whether delicate and decorative or hearty and flavorful, like Eastern Bee Balm and Borage or French Thyme and Marjoram. This thoughtful approach ensures that our garden is not only visually stunning but also essential to the dishes we serve.

Our Orchard and Raised Garden are an ongoing source of inspiration, with dishes curated around the fruits and vegetables as they come into season. The Opus One culinary team is especially excited about the first growth of stonefruit, which marks a new chapter in our estate’s harvest. And when we have more than we need, nothing goes to waste – we preserve excess crops through fermentation, pickling, jamming, freezing, and curing, extending the life and flavor of what we grow.

This commitment to hyper-local sourcing shines in our seasonal canapés, offered alongside the Opus One Experience. Ingredients come directly from the Estate gardens, and we delight in pairing unexpected flavors – like our current summer favorite: Spiced Tomato Palmier with Aged Brie. Our canapés evolve quarterly, harmonizing the seasonal flavors of the estate with the artistry of our culinary team.

August 2025

Each summer, students in advanced academic programs of music around the United States are invited to study at the Château de Fontainebleau, a 900-year-old Royal Château surrounded by classic French gardens and its famous forest. The near-mythical history and the splendor of the natural surroundings of the Château serve as both muse and inspiration for the creative minds that pass through its iconic halls.

In support of this extraordinary program, founded in 1921, Opus One offered five composition scholarships to students selected by the Fontainebleau Schools of Music and Fine Arts. Each scholarship recipient composed original works, 10 minutes in length, inspired by the rich heritage of the Château and the surrounding beauty of its natural environment. From this select group, Sofia Jen Ouyang was chosen to receive the Opus One International Composition Prize.

Sofia Jen Ouyang, as Opus One’s Composer in Residence 2025, will be invited to the Estate, accompanied by collaborating musicians from her class, to perform “In Air, On Stone”, inspired by the Chateau itself, and other selected works on September 13th, 2025.  During her residency she will compose a piece inspired by the Opus One Estate and return to perform it alongside their successor in September, 2026.

August 2025

Opus One is committed to enhancing the sustainability of our packaging materials. Currently, our glass bottles are made with 80% recycled glass. We use capsules crafted entirely from recycled tin, and our corks are 100% natural and fully compostable. Additionally, our tissue paper is 100% curbside recyclable, and our wooden boxes can be either recycled or composted – check with your local waste facilities for guidance.

Our shipping boxes are crafted from 80–100% recycled cardboard and are fully recyclable, compostable, and biodegradable. We use fiber-reinforced paper tape and soy-based inks – non-toxic, sustainable, and safe for the environment. Packaging can be placed in blue recycling or green compost bins. Learn how Opus One embraces being globally responsible across our practices.

July 2025

On July 19, Opus One Premieres – a collaboration between Opus One and Festival Napa Valley – took center stage at the scenic Copeland Olive Hill Estate. The performance captivated with baroque brilliance from the Versailles Royal Opera Orchestra and a bold new work by Forrest Eimold, 2025 Maria Manetti Shrem Daniel Brewbaker Composer Prizewinner.

Opus One Premieres is a collaboration with Festival Napa Valley, championing innovation and creative excellence, bringing new musical works to life in unforgettable settings – inspiring cultural dialogue and forging meaningful connections between audiences and creators.

July 2025

In reimagining the plantings for the Opus One berms, we partnered with renowned, Cambridge-based landscape architecture firm, Reed Hilderbrand. Their process began with observing the land – understanding Opus One’s landscape, character, and history. At Opus One, that meant celebrating a rich horticultural legacy that blends French garden abstraction with the loose, expressive qualities of the California landscape.

Guided by the agroecological principles of biodiversity, resilience, and efficiency, the goal was clear: to reduce water use while enhancing the beauty and biodiverse, ecological integrity of the site. The plant palette was designed to meet key criteria: provide a habitat for local pollinators and beneficial insects, require minimal inputs, conserve water, and reflect our cultural and social values. The textures of the selected species – low-growing and shrubby – were chosen to echo the rugged beauty of the Vaca Mountains, visually drawing the surrounding landscape into the experience of the winery. This approach reflects the original architectural vision, reinforcing Opus One’s profound connection to its natural surroundings.

With stewardship at the forefront, we conducted a trial on the south berm using a custom soil blend and six candidate species. We evaluated their performance, visual harmony, and appeal to pollinators. The final selection – Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. griseus ‘Yankee Point’ and Westringia fruticosa ‘Mundi’ – proved to be the most resilient, attractive, and ecologically beneficial.

These new plantings will transform the land into a thriving pollinator habitat and reduce Opus One’s irrigation needs significantly. This marks a meaningful step forward in advancing our 2030 Vision – embedding stewardship into every aspect of our work and deepening our commitment to protecting the land.

July 2025

This month, Opus One celebrates two defining moments of liberty and identity: Independence Day in the United States on July 4^th and Bastille Day in France on July 14^th. These holidays, just ten days apart, recognize the enduring values of freedom, unity, and cultural pride – values that resonate with the story of Opus One.

Founded through the visionary partnership of Baron Philippe de Rothschild of Château Mouton Rothschild and Robert Mondavi, Opus One is a testament to the harmony between French tradition and Napa Valley terroir. These two legacies, united by a shared pursuit of excellence, continue to shape every bottle of Opus One.

As we raise a glass this month, we cheers to the American spirit of independence and the French reverence for craftsmanship – two forces that inspire our philosophy from vineyard to cellar.

June 2025

La terre et l’air étaient prodige et don

Dans l’épais bourdon

Des fleurs et des mouches

Rien ne me prit le goût de ta bouche

Rumeur la mer rôdait en mille soucis d’or

Et l’écume embaumait à me mouler ton corps

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“Freckles” – 1946

Baron Philippe de Rothschild

Summer

Earth and air were munificent and gift

In the buzzing drift

Of flies and cowslips

Nothing could dispel the taste of your lips

Sea murmur roamed in myriad marigolds

Spray-scented the moulding of firmness and your folds

Art: Rosalind Tallmadge, “L’Été“, for Opus One

June 2025

Rooted in our commitment to stewardship and respect for the local ecosystem, Opus One is refashioning the inner Courtyard by replacing the lawn with a more drought-tolerant landscape. As part of this evolution, the 130-year-old olive trees that once graced this space have been temporarily relocated to make way for a new roof, and a refreshed landscape that will feature meandering pathways and native plantings.

These historic trees are being carefully nurtured until they return to their rightful place. Every detail – from the timing of their deep weekly watering to the precision of their dedicated irrigation system – reflects care and commitment to their well-being. Until they return to the inner Courtyard, their health and legacy are being preserved with the utmost attention and respect.

June 2025

At Opus One, our legacy is deeply rooted in the cultivation of meaningful relationships—especially with the land.

In our unwavering pursuit of absolute quality, every detail from vineyard to glass is thoughtfully considered.

Across our 170 acres, we sow a diverse blend of more than 30 cover crops and wildflowers, including purple vetch, triticale, buckwheat, oats, Japanese millet, and crimson clover. As part of our regenerative farming practices, we allow these plants to go to seed—enriching the soil each spring and building a permanent seed bank that reduces the need for future inputs.

This is just one of the many ways we steward our land—today and for generations to come.

June 2025

The Grand Chai serves as the first-year resting place for each vintage of Opus One – a sanctuary where tradition and innovation converge. This semi-elliptical, among the Estate’s most distinctive architectural features, houses 100% new French oak barrels sourced from a carefully selected group of artisanal coopers. Its graceful arc creates the illusion of infinite rows, drawing the eye – and the imagination – into a space of quiet reverence.

Upon entering, guests are enveloped by the evocative aromas of cool stone and delicate notes of rose petals and dark fruit. Among the most visually striking elements of the Opus One Grand Chai, the velvety red middle stripe pays homage to our French heritage, and co-founder, Baron Philippe de Rothschild, echoing the aesthetic sensibilities of Château Mouton Rothschild. A tribute to the craftsmanship of our cellar team, the red stripe (made with Opus One recovered in the bottling process) creates beauty, which gives rise to care, and culminates in absolute quality from attention to every detail.  While there are historical and practical reasons for staining barrels this way, today, we appreciate it as a visual masterpiece.

Maintained at a precise 55 degrees Fahrenheit with 80% humidity, the Grand Chai offers the ideal environment for the newest vintage of Opus One to mature gracefully – undisturbed, until the moment it is ready to be revealed.

May 2025

Opus One invites you to join us on our journey to reshape the winery’s landscape as we embark on physical modifications to support our long-term vision. Prioritizing stewardship of our estate vineyards, proper management of water resources, and the winery’s responsibility to the local ecosystem, the winery is putting our plan into action.

Work has begun to replant our berms to native and drought-tolerant plants – Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. griseus ‘Yankee Point’ and Westringia fruticosa ‘Mundi’. These plants symbolize our enduring commitment to the land, and offer myriad benefits, including air purification, and providing shelter and nourishment for wildlife and pollinators, thereby enhancing biodiversity.

April 2025

At Opus One, we are embracing a period of transformation, thoughtfully reimagining our estate to enhance the overall guest experience.

As part of these improvements, our main entrance will temporarily close, allowing us to elevate the estate while maintaining the essence of what makes a visit to Opus One so distinctive. During this time, we invite you to arrive via Oakville Cross Road, where a clearly marked temporary entrance will guide you with ease. Our team will be on hand to ensure a seamless and effortless arrival, with clear signage and thoughtful assistance throughout. Inside, the exceptional level of hospitality you’ve come to expect remains unchanged, ensuring that the beauty and atmosphere of your visit are never compromised. This is a defining moment in our evolution, and we are thrilled to share it with you.

We look forward to welcoming you to Opus One.

Janaury 2025

The 2025 New Year denotes the beginning of a strategic collection of projects that honors and preserves the winery and land our estate lives on. In 1989, Baroness Philippine de Rothschild and Robert Mondavi broke ground on the newly acquired Oakville estate to begin construction of what would become Opus One Winery. Architect, Scott Johnson, designed a space that was a harmonious blend of new world and old-world ideals.

Today, the wisdom of founder Baron Philippe de Rothschild who once said, “Making a great wine is easy, it’s just the first 100 years that are difficult” is in pure focus. As Opus One approaches 50 years of wine making, our dedication to ensuring generations to come will enjoy the pursuit of absolute wine quality remains a priority.

Over the next 18 months, the winery exterior and extended estate are undergoing enhancements as we envision the future of Opus One. The landscape ecosystem that nourishes our vines is supported by the reimagining of the iconic grass berms, the introduction of native plant species, apiaries to support the livelihood of natural pollinators, conservation of the Napa River, and the installment of a rock and herb garden.

During this evolution, patrons of the winery are invited to share in the moments of transformation as we celebrate the legacy left behind by our founders. The Opus One team diligently tends to vineyard as they have since the winery’s inception and will continue to pursue projects that support longevity and modern technology.

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