OPUS ONE

Californian Cool with a capital C, Opus One began as a joint venture between American wine pioneer Robert Mondavi and bona fide member of France’s winemaking royalty, the late Baron Philippe de Rothschild.

Their goal was to create a Bordeaux-style blend based around Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. This is a classic collision of Old World and New, from the fashioning of the winery through to the wine itself. With two such famously successful operators, money was clearly no object in bringing this vision to fruition, and it has attained cult status.

Michael Silacci

Michael Silacci joined Opus One in March 2001 as director of viticulture and enology and became winemaker in January of 2004, taking on responsibility for all aspects of vineyard management and winemaking.

Prior to his appointment at Opus One, Mr. Silacci spent 6 years as winemaker at Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, one year as winemaker at King Estate in Oregon, and 6 years at Beaulieu Vineyard. He also made wine in France and Chile. Mr. Silacci holds a master’s degree in viticulture from the University of California, Davis in addition to undergraduate degrees in enology from the University of California, Davis and the Institut d’Oenologie at the Université de Bordeaux.

Advancing a holistic vision of winegrowing as the ultimate expression of terroir, Mr. Silacci ensures that the connection between viticulture and winemaking at Opus One is seamless, reflecting the philosophy of founders Baron Philippine de Rothschild and Robert Mondavi.