The name Opus One was chosen due to Mondavi and Rothschild’s desire to call their wine by a Latin name that was easily recognisable internationally, ‘Opus’ being a musical term meaning ‘work’. Opus One therefore means “first work,” which is fitting for a winery that makes a single, very fine, wine.

Today, Baroness Philippine de Rothschild has taken her late father’s position as partner, thus ensuring that the name of Opus One still carries the prestige worthy of the remarkable wines produced.

Viticulture and Vinification

25,000 cases of Opus One are released each vintage and, as there is no second wine, the selection of fruit is rigorous. After harvesting, the grapes are hand-sorted in order to select the ripest, most concentrated, grapes. The free-run and press wines from the different plots are separated and the free-run wines are aged in new French oak barriques in the semi-circular grand chai for 17 to 20 months before being blended. Aged press wine is then added, giving the final blend backbone, more body and definition. The wines produced are intense, dramatic, long-lived and highly sought-after.

Varieties

Cabernet Sauvignon is the dominant variety planted in the vineyards. Small amounts of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot are also grown.

Wines produced:

• Opus One – 85% Cabernet Sauvignon; the remaining 15% of the blend is made up of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot.