$335-$335
Prices
2019-2019
Vintages
About
Opus One Winery, located in Oakville, California, is a joint venture between Baron Philippe de Rothschild of Château Mouton Rothschild and Robert Mondavi. Founded in 1979, the winery aims to create a single Bordeaux-style blend using Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. The first vintage, 1979, was released in 1984. Known for its intense aromas of black plum, blueberry, and mineral undertones, Opus One is renowned for its creamy texture and fine-grained tannins. It is one of the most expensive Napa Valley wines, with the 2014 vintage retailing for $325 per bottle[1][2].
History
Opus One was founded in the late 1970s as a joint venture between Robert Mondavi and Baron Philippe de Rothschild. The two wine industry giants met for the first time at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel on the Big Island of Hawaii in 1970, marking the beginning of their collaboration to merge Old World and New World winemaking styles. The joint venture was officially announced in 1980, with the first vintage produced in 1979 using grapes from Mondavi's To Kalon Vineyard in the Oakville AVA. Initially, the wine was called Napamedoc, but it was renamed Opus One in 1982, symbolizing the first joint masterpiece of the two wine icons.
The first vintage was released in 1984, and it quickly gained significant interest, with a single case selling for $24,000 at the first Napa Valley Wine Auction in 1981. Opus One became renowned for its high quality and luxury, becoming one of the most expensive Californian wines. The winery's picturesque vineyard covers over 100 acres in Napa Valley, with a significant portion sourced from To Kalon Vineyard, known for producing exceptional grapes that contribute to the opulence and depth of Opus One wines[2][4].
Terroir
The terroir of Opus One is characterized by the diverse soil types and microclimates within its vineyards. The estate vineyards cover over 100 acres in the heart of Napa Valley, with a significant portion sourced from the renowned To Kalon Vineyard. This vineyard is celebrated for its diverse soil types, including well-draining alluvial deposits with gravelly, loamy, and clay-rich soils. These variations in soil types offer unique mineral characteristics to the grapes, contributing to the complexity of the final blend.
In addition to the To Kalon Vineyard, Opus One's estate vineyards include blocks with alluvial and volcanic soils. These soils provide a range of flavors and textures, enhancing the complexity of the final blend. The presence of mineral-rich soils in the vineyards imparts distinctive mineral and earthy notes to the wine, adding depth and character to the final product. The Oakville AVA, where Opus One is located, experiences a Mediterranean climate similar to Bordeaux, characterized by warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. This climate is ideal for grape cultivation and allows for a long growing season, essential for achieving full ripeness and flavor development in the grapes[1][2].