1. Is Opus One a wine or a winery?

Opus One is actually both! It is both a wine and a winery. What makes it special is that the wine came first. The first vintage dates back to 1979, while the company was not founded until 1980. The winery itself was not established until 1989. And to make it even more special, the wine did not even have a name at first. There was a working title, but the two founders knew from the outset that they had to find a name that would do justice to their project. They wanted to create a unique and great wine that could easily compete with all the icons of the world. Have we made you curious? Good! Because the exciting details are coming right up. It's worth reading on.

2. Where is the Opus One Winery located?

Before we delve into the myth surrounding Opus One wine, we need to cover a few basics. The legendary red wine may have a French Bordeaux soul, but it is produced in the United States. In California, to be precise. And because we like to be very precise: in the famous Napa Valley in Oakville. Wait a minute? Oakville? Isn't that also the headquarters of the world-famous Robert Mondavi empire? Yes, exactly! Which finally brings us to the really, really exciting part about Opus One.

3. How did Opus One come about?

In 1970, the two wine legends Philippe de Rothschild (yes, the owner of Château Mouton-Rothschild) and Robert Mondavi met for the first time during an event in Hawaii. The two wine men hit it off so well that, on the very same evening, they came up with the idea of creating a red wine together that could compete with the world's greatest wines – and that should have a distinct Bordeaux soul. That was in 1970, mind you. Years before the infamous Judgement of Paris. At that time, wines from California were only reasonably well known in the United States. Mondavi and Rothschild did not yet take any concrete steps in Hawaii. But they did not forget their intention.

In 1978, a second meeting took place in Bordeaux. Within just one hour, Rothschild and Mondavi forged their final plan and created the complete framework. They didn't have a name for their wine yet, but ‘Napamédoc’ served as a working title for the time being, linguistically uniting the two wine regions of the joint venture idealists. Just one year later, the first harvest took place. It was in a vineyard owned by Robert Mondavi. Lucien Sionneau was present at the harvest for Château Mouton-Rothschild, while Robert Mondavi's son Timothy Mondavi was there for the Robert Mondavi Winery. The wine was vinified on site. Of course, as there was no winery of their own yet. And anyway, the Opus One company was not founded until 1980. It took some time to agree on a name. In the process, the two wine legends presented their joint venture to the public. It was the official birth of a legend.

4. When did the first vintage of Opus One come onto the market?

The birth of the wine is another story altogether. Opus One Winery was indeed founded in 1980 and presented to the public. However, it had to wait another four years for its first wine. And actually, it wasn't just one wine, but two. In 1984, the 1979 and 1980 vintages were released simultaneously. Both vintages were available exclusively in the United States and were not exported. It wasn't until the 1985 vintage that the whole world was able to taste Opus One. But that didn't stop the world's wine critics from showering Opus One with rave reviews right from the start, turning it into an overnight wine superstar from California. No wonder it was the first wine ever to fetch over $100 a bottle at the traditional California wine auction. A price we can only dream of today, of course.

5. What grape varieties are used to make Opus One?

You may have guessed it already: Cabernet Sauvignon is the soul of this wine, which has an unmistakable Pauillac character. This red grape variety, so typical of the Left Bank in Bordeaux, always makes up at least 80% of the cuvée. Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot usually complete the cuvée. The proportions vary from year to year in order to consistently deliver exceptional quality in the bottle.

Until 2001, it was an unwritten rule at Opus One that all five grape varieties had to be included in the cuvée. However, the new cellar master Michael Silacci broke with this tradition. Since then, it has been possible for Malbec or Petit Verdot not to be included in the blend, depending on which composition ultimately brings out the best in the cuvée.

6. How is Opus One vinified?

Welcome to the next special feature! At first glance, the Opus One vinification process looks quite normal: after harvesting, the grapes are gently crushed and macerated for several days before undergoing temperature-controlled fermentation, followed by 15 to 25 months of ageing in new French oak barrels. But here's the key: Neither the grapes nor the must, and certainly not the wine, are pumped at any stage. This is because the winery was deliberately built on a slope to make exclusive use of gravity. When construction began in the late 1980s, this was an absolute novelty. A novelty that has since been copied by many wineries because it produces such a special, gentle wine.

7. What makes Opus One so special?

With Opus One, two wine legends created the first transcontinental joint venture in the wine industry. Their ambitious goal was to create a wine with an American heart but a French soul. Typical Mondavi AND Rothschild. It was something that had never been done before. In addition, the two grand seigneurs wanted to create a wine that would last for a small eternity. As befits a premier cru. They succeeded. Opus One can easily age for 15 years or more. But all this would be nothing without its inimitable taste.

8. How does Opus One taste?

It is always a challenge to put truly great wines into words. In general, one can say that Opus One combines the power of the Californian sun with the elegance of the left bank of Bordeaux. The nose is initially dominated by cassis and dark plums, but there are also notes of black tea and a very fine and pleasant herbal spice. On the palate, the wine is very juicy and forward in its youth, with a firm yet elegant tannin structure.

With additional maturity, the tannins become increasingly silky and refined. Here, herbal nuances of sage and rosemary come to the fore, paired with a hint of cedar wood and an almost vibrant minerality. All this together gives the wine a magnificent tension and deep complexity that is truly rare to find in a glass. The long finish makes you forget the passage of time. It's just like any great wine: one sip and time stands still. In short: a wine that deserves to be revered.

9. Is there a second wine from Opus One?

So if you ever have the chance to taste one or perhaps even several Opus One vintages, don't miss this opportunity. You will carry this memory in your wine-loving heart for the rest of your life. That's a promise. There is just one small catch: Opus One is very, very expensive – but it is not a bargain. For many years now, 100 dollars has been nothing but a dream. But as befits a French soul, there is also a second wine for Opus One. It is called Overture and was first released in 1993.

Only grapes from young vines or from the outskirts of the now 100-hectare estate are used here. The Overture lives up to its name. It may not be the great classic masterpiece that is the Opus One, but it is an excellent introduction to this great pleasure. In general, the wine is juicier, fruitier and easier to love, while remaining consistently at an astonishingly high level.

10. Who owns Opus One Winery today?

Until 2004, Opus One Winery was owned by Rothschild and Mondavi. That is why there were always two managing directors, each representing one of the two wineries. In 2004, these were Peter Ventura for Mondavi and Douglas Morton for Rothschild. In 2004, cellar master Michael Silacci became the sole managing director of Opus One Winery, thus bringing both interests under one roof.

There was an important reason for this major change, as just months earlier, Mondavi sold his entire wine empire (including his Opus One shares) for $1.36 billion to the wine and spirits company Constellation Brands, which converted the family business into a public limited company. However, this had no impact on Opus One. On the one hand, because the Rothschild family still holds its shares to this day. On the other hand, because winemaker and CEO Michael Silacci ensured the necessary continuity. How lucky for us!