Opus One is the Napa Valley estate born from a handshake between Robert Mondavi and Baron Philippe de Rothschild of Château Mouton Rothschild. One grand vin, one second wine, and a Bordeaux-style blend that put Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon on the world's fine wine map.
Opus One Winery: where Napa Valley meets Bordeaux
Mondavi and the Baron first met in 1970, and the first vintage was 1979, released in 1984 together with the 1980. For its first years the wine went by the working name Napamedoc before becoming Opus One, a musical title for a wine meant to be a single, complete work. Early vintages were made at the Mondavi winery across Highway 29, from To Kalon fruit. The estate's own limestone-clad winery in Oakville was built between 1989 and 1991, and it has made every vintage since.
The idea has never changed: a Médoc-style blend grown in Napa. Cabernet Sauvignon leads, supported by Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec in proportions that shift with the vintage. The style sits between its two parents, with the ripeness and generosity of Oakville fruit and a Bordeaux sense of structure and restraint.
Opus One vintages to buy, from 1982 to 2022
This collection is unusually deep in back vintages. Mature bottles such as Opus One 1982, 1984 and 1988 show what the wine becomes after decades in the cellar: cedar, dried cassis, tobacco and a fine, silky finish. The 1990 in magnum is a classic year in a large format that has aged slowly. Opus One 2003 and 2010 are in their drinking window now, while 2015, 2017 and 2019 still have plenty of fruit and firm tannins.
The most recent releases, Opus One 2021 and 2022, are young and dense, with blackcurrant, violet, graphite and polished oak. They reward patience, but a long decant makes them approachable sooner. Opus One 2022 is also offered in magnum, the best format for long ageing.
Overture: the second wine of Opus One
Since 1993 the estate has made Overture from lots that are not selected for the grand vin. For most of its history it was a blend of several vintages, and the bottles in this collection are labelled by vintage and release year, such as Overture 2021 (released 2024) and Overture 2022 (released 2025). It shares the same vineyards, cellar and team as Opus One, with a more open, fruit-forward style that is ready to drink on release.
Serving and food pairing
Serve Opus One at 16 to 18°C and decant young vintages for one to two hours. Older vintages need only a gentle decant to remove sediment. Classic matches are roast lamb, ribeye with a pepper crust, venison and aged hard cheeses. Overture works with grilled steak, duck breast and mushroom dishes.
For more wines in the same spirit, browse Napa Valley wine, our Cabernet Sauvignon collection, the classic Bordeaux wines that inspired the blend, and Caymus from neighbouring Rutherford.
Opus One FAQ
Who owns Opus One?
Opus One was founded as a joint venture between Robert Mondavi and Baron Philippe de Rothschild. Today it is still run as a partnership between Baron Philippe de Rothschild SA and Constellation Brands, which acquired the Mondavi side.
What grapes are in Opus One wine?
Opus One is a Bordeaux-style red blend led by Cabernet Sauvignon, with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec. The exact blend changes every vintage.
What is the difference between Opus One and Overture?
Opus One is the grand vin made from the best lots of each vintage. Overture is the second wine, made from lots not chosen for Opus One, in a more approachable style.
What decides the price of an Opus One vintage?
Vintage reputation, age, scarcity and bottle size all play a part. Mature vintages and magnums are rarer than the current release, and storage history matters for older bottles.
How long can Opus One age?
Good vintages develop for 20 to 30 years and more, as the 1980s bottles show. Overture is made to be enjoyed within a few years of release.