Opus One

Opus One represents one of the most ambitious collaborations in wine history — a joint venture between Robert Mondavi and Baron Philippe de Rothschild of Château Mouton Rothschild, launched in 1979 with the goal of creating a single wine that would embody the best of both Napa Valley and Bordeaux. The result is a Bordeaux-style blend, predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, that has become one of the most recognized and collected wines in the world.

The winery itself is an architectural statement — a striking neoclassical building set into the hillside on Highway 29 in Oakville, designed to be as singular as the wine it produces. Inside, every detail is calibrated for precision: the barrel room, the blending lab, and the tasting salon all reflect a philosophy where nothing is left to chance. Opus One produces just one wine each vintage (plus its second label, Overture), making it one of the most focused estates in Napa.

The wine itself is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec — the five traditional Bordeaux varietals — sourced from estate vineyards in Oakville. Each vintage is a distinct expression of the year, but the house style favours elegance, structure, and aging potential over raw power. Current release bottles typically retail above $400, making a tasting at the estate one of the most cost-effective ways to experience this legendary wine.