Who Are the Women Behind Two Special Barrels at Opus One?

During his visits to cooperages in France, Opus One Winemaker Michael Silacci was introduced to a young apprentice named Mailys Rouhaud, a woman who carried herself with a presence far larger than her stature. Michael recalls thinking, “I have never seen a woman making barrels.” For centuries, coopering has been a male-dominated trade, with skills passed down through generations of craftsmen. Yet the cooperage’s owner was actively working to expand opportunities for women, supporting and promoting a new generation of female coopers.

At the time of Michael’s visit, Mailys was still learning the craft, but her talent and determination were already evident. In 2019, she would go on to earn the title Meilleure Apprentie de France (“Best Apprentice in France”) for coopering, one of the country’s highest distinctions for apprentices. Inspired by her promise, Michael made a commitment of his own: when she completed her first barrel, Opus One would acquire it.

Mailys was not the only rising talent to capture Michael’s attention. Earlier, in 2018, Amandine Forsans had received the same prestigious Meilleure Apprentie de France distinction, becoming the first female cooper in Martillac, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, to earn the honor. As more women began to gain recognition in a profession long defined by tradition, Michael extended the same commitment to Amandine: Opus One would acquire her first completed barrel as well.

Today, those inaugural barrels reside in our Grand Chai as a tribute to the women who crafted them and to the partnership between Opus One and the artisans behind every vintage. Their presence honors a centuries-old craft while celebrating the skill, determination, and excellence that continue to shape its future.

Plan Your Visit

Shared October 2026