Co-founder, Baron Philippe de Rothschild, liked to say, “Making a great wine is easy, it’s just the first 100 years that are difficult.” In 2030, Opus One will be halfway through our first 100 years. In 2021, the entire Opus One team gathered to build a 2030 Vision, which identified the behaviors and activities most important to our employees, our community, and our planet. One of the significant initiatives to emerge was that Opus One should be globally responsible across our entire organization, from vineyard to table.
Making a great wine is easy, it’s just the first 100 years that are difficult.
To Opus One
Opus One was founded on a timeless philosophy: to share the art of wine with generations to come. This vision is rooted in a deep commitment – to our team, our patrons, and our planet.
At Opus One, we honor the legacy of winemaking by blending tradition with innovation, continually refining a craft we are proud to uphold. Each vintage is a gift from Mother Nature, shaped by the subtle nuances of the environment. These natural influences inspire us to preserve the integrity of our wines while safeguarding the health and vitality of the world around us.
To the Land
The Opus One legacy is one rooted in the nurturing of relationships including our relationship with the land. This intimate symbiotic relationship is what brings forth what is shared in the glass. One example of this is our restoration of the land along the Napa River. Winemaker, Michael Silacci, initiated and invested into programs to protect, restore, and extend elements of the river pertinent to the long-term health of the ecosystem.
To the People
At Opus One, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We are proud to cultivate a workplace rooted in respect, collaboration, and shared purpose – where each team member plays an integral role in shaping our legacy. Guided by a deep sense of responsibility to one another and to the world around us, we foster an environment that supports continuous learning, professional development, and connection. Our 2030 Vision reflects this commitment, ensuring that our values are not only reflected in the wine we craft, but in the culture we nurture every day.
As farmers and artisans, deeply concerned with our collective future, Opus One recognizes that sustainability practices benefit the winery, our neighbors, and our customers. The culture and internal practices at Opus One reflect our commitment to conservation and responsible consumption in the areas of energy, water, waste management, transportation, purchasing, and food. Opus One has been certified as a Napa Green Winery and Vineyard and continually seeks practices that are favorable to the environment.
Since 2018, Opus One has actively monitored water meters to track our water use efficiency and guide continuous improvement. We’ve implemented a range of policies focused on conserving water, particularly in areas such as tank and barrel cleaning. To reduce unnecessary water use, we’ve installed low-flow, touchless faucets and fixtures equipped with auto shut-off features. A rainwater catchment system now channels runoff to our reservoir, and an in-ground collection system helps minimize reliance on wells that draw from our aquifer. Currently, the vineyards surrounding the winery are irrigated using a combination of processed wastewater from our cellar and rainwater collected across the property. Irrigation decisions are made thoughtfully, based on visual cues, soil moisture levels, and vine water stress indicators. Our strategy emphasizes less frequent but more impactful irrigations to encourage vine resilience and the development of deeper root systems.
In Spring 2025, Opus One was awarded the Butterfly Mark by Positive Luxury – an independent trust mark recognizing luxury brands that demonstrate measurable, ongoing commitment to people and the planet. The award is based on a unique ESG+ assessment, which looks at environmental, social, governance, and innovation factors specifically tailored to the luxury industry.
Since 2021, Opus One has proudly maintained California Certified Organic Farming (CCOF) certification, affirming our commitment to organic viticulture. This approach reduces chemical inputs and fosters a thriving agroecosystem, aligning with our pillars of Absolute Quality and Global Responsibility.
Opus One joined International Wineries for Climate Action (IWCA) in 2022, aligning with a global coalition of wineries dedicated to science-based climate action. Through IWCA, we track both direct and indirect emissions, establish reduction targets, and measure progress toward our goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
In 2021, Opus One became the first winery to receive both Napa Green Winery and Napa Green Vineyard certifications. These accolades recognize our efforts in energy conservation, water efficiency, waste reduction, and commitment to social equity.
Opus One received Napa Green’s 2025 RISE Leadership Award for Climate Action & Regenerative Agriculture – a recognition of our holistic, whole-system approach. This includes initiatives such as transitioning to no-till farming, integration of insectary rows, widening our row spacing, grazing, investing in ecosystem restoration, and more.
Opus One’s Fish Friendly Farming Environmental Certification – a program run by the California Land Stewardship Institute – reflects our dedication to restoring wildlife habitat, protecting biodiversity, and enhancing water quality. Through the Fish Friendly Farming program, Opus One has access to expertise in environmentally conscious land practices, enriching our continued efforts to nurture our environmental health and community well-being focused initiatives.
In 2023, Opus One began implementing regenerative farming practices across our estate. By 2024, approximately 70 acres were under regenerative management, including trials in grazing, tillage, cover cropping, and irrigation. These efforts aim to rebuild soil health, enhance water retention, sequester atmospheric carbon, and foster biodiversity. Complementary initiatives include soil benchmarking, riparian restoration, apiaries, bird habitats, and the cultivation of gardens and orchards.
As part of our “2030 Vision,” the iconic berms planted in 1991 are being reimagined to reflect our environmental ethos. In collaboration with Reed Hilderbrand, native and drought-tolerant species such as Ceanothus ‘Anchor Bay’ and Westringia fruticosa ‘Mundi’ were selected for their ecological benefits. Redevelopment began in April 2025.
In partnership with Earthly Labs, Opus One captures carbon dioxide from fermentation and converts it into dry ice for reuse during harvest. This innovation reduces emissions from outsourced dry ice and supports our vision of climate-positive winemaking.
Since February 2021, Opus One has sourced 100% California renewable electricity through MCE’s Deep Green program. This transition has reduced our Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions in Oakville to zero – equivalent to the annual electricity use of 31 homes. Our action also increases the amount of renewable electricity MCE provides to the grid, while 50% of the incremental cost is invested in MCE’s Local Renewable Projects fund, supporting local renewable energy, energy efficiency, and transportation electrification programs.
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 at all local facilities.
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.
