Opus One Winery LLC

Pruning is underway at Opus One. During the vines’ dormancy, this process is essential to balancing fruit quality, establishing yields, and reducing pests and nuisances. Each pruning decision influences berry development, making it vital to pay attention to every detail, ensuring absolute quality for vintages to come. This year, our team is working with international vine pruning masters, Simonit&Sirch. The Italian duo developed a pruning method with the intent to consult, train and rigorously coach pruners in the vineyard. Their methods ensure vine longevity supported by vegetative and productive balance. Their work and techniques are used globally in the most esteemed wine growing regions. We are overjoyed to absorb and adopt their craftsmanship for Opus One 2025 and beyond.

In pursuit of becoming carbon net zero, the Opus One winemaking team captured over 11,000 pounds of carbon dioxide from our stainless steel tanks during the 2024 harvest fermentation. The first collection in 2022 was roughly 1000 pounds and nearly doubled by 2023. With the support of Earthly Labs, Opus One was able increase capture by 10 times within 3 years. This year, training the Opus One cellar team to independently operate CiCi, the carbon dioxide capture equipment, was a priority to ensure continued opportunity for professional growth and development. The team at Opus One remains dedicated to absolute quality in both skill and wine. The captured carbon dioxide is then converted to dry ice and used throughout the winery to support the winemaking process. With the help of modern technology, Opus One is able adopt innovative techniques that align with our 2030 Vision. #OpusOneMoments

Opus One was pleased to return to the Naples Winter Wine Festival, inviting guests to walk in the footsteps of giants. The winning bidder will explore Europe, bearing witness to cutting edge premieres, classics, surprises and spectacles from the most acclaimed centers of the performing arts. Proceeds, raised by the festival's auction, directly improve the physical, emotional and educational lives of underprivileged and at-risk youth. With more than $300 million raised since 2001, Opus One is honored to contribute and support our future generations.

The 2025 New Year marks the beginning of a collection of projects that preserve the winery for the future and honor our commitment to the stewardship of our estate. In 1989, Baroness Philippine de Rothschild and Robert Mondavi broke ground on what was previously a walnut orchard to begin construction of Opus One Winery. Scott Johnson, the winery’s architect, struck a balance between new world and old world details. Over the next 12 months, the winery exterior and extended estate are undergoing enhancements as this aesthetic is carried through into the future of Opus One.

In 2002, Opus One winemaker, Michael Silacci found himself tasting Champagne with a mouthfeel that led him to speculate it had been made in an amphora. To the surprise of Missy Neill, wine director at Aska, who was guiding the tasting, she confirmed the base of the Champagne had in fact been created in an amphora. This experience led to amphoras making a home alongside traditional French oak barrels to understand the impacts this vessel would have on selected lots from the Opus One estate. Opus One is a blend of five traditional Boudreaux varietals. To ensure balance of these varietal differences, texture and mouthfeel are in focus. Over the years, amphora, oak, and stainless steel have been used in trials to understand the impacts each material has on our wines. Amphoras are now among them in the ongoing pursuit of absolute wine quality. Indigenous yeast found throughout the vineyard have been among the trials within the amphora vessels where they contribute a highly nuanced complexity. This innovation inspires viticulture to be leveraged from different angles to add unique dimensions to wine, all starting with where winemaking begins, the vineyard.

Each year, Opus One welcomes young international professionals to partake in harvest internships to refine their skills and deepen their wine industry experience. We are passionate about creating an environment that encourages professional development and nurtures young talent. Opus One is grateful for their time spent at the winery and we wish them much success as they grow beyond the estate.

Since 1949, May has been recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month. To support our employees and their ability to excel with a purity of focus and attention to detail, Opus One is invested in nurturing and respecting mental health in our workplace. We proudly support the National Alliance on Mental Illness' (NAMI) mission to eradicate stigma, extend support, foster public education, and advocate for policies that prioritize the well-being of individuals and families affected by mental illness.

Opus One’s founding visions are rooted in the power of art. Today those visions are carried forward through the selection of pieces from various corners of the world. In a recent Forbes article, “Understanding The Value Of Art At Work,” author Gregory Crawford illustrates the impact of art in a working environment. “Art and images provide opportunities for personal reflection, renewal and growth; cultivate group identity and unity; and unleash creativity, innovation and problem-solving that benefit the larger society.” He goes on to say, “I believe well-curated, excellent artwork can elevate an individual’s well-being, strengthen the organization's culture and enhance the quality of the larger community. Visual arts enrich any environment as expressions of human creativity, culture, passion and aspiration.” Featured piece: "An Aggregation” by artist Seon Ghi Bahk

The Opus One team heads out of the office and into the vineyard each year as they indulge in the art of winemaking. While encouraging bio-diversity in the soil, our team strives to continue the development of a diverse range of skills that support their personal and professional growth. Today various departments come together to learn new skills outside of their area of expertise.

Looking into the future, the Opus One winemaking team remains dedicated to the vision of becoming carbon-negative. When fermentation began last harvest, we captured more than three thousand pounds of liquefied CO2, the equivalent of a year’s work from sixty mature trees, and more than double from 2022. This was the first year the cellar team began training on CiCi, the Earthly Labs Carbon Capture unit. As Opus One works diligently to pursue innovative methods to support the winemaking process, we are also dedicated to supporting and uplifting our teams with new ways to expand their skillsets. You can learn more about our efforts here: https://lnkd.in/gf7Hwr7q