

Many grapes grow well in Napa’s Mediterranean climate, but the region is best known for Cabernet Sauvignon. Napa Valley’s AVA was established in 1983, and today there are 16 sub-appellations within the Napa Valley AVA. But by the late 1950s and early 1960s Robert Mondavi and other visionaries were producing quality wines easily distinguishable from the mass-produced jug wines made in California’s Central Valley. Composed of the same five varietals that define Opus One Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec second wine Overture has been produced since 1993 as part of the estate’s relentless pursuit of quality for Opus One, resulting in a non vintage of remarkable elegance and complexity, capturing the. An infestation of phylloxera, an insect that attacks vine roots, and the onset of Prohibition nearly wiped out the nascent Napa wine industry in the early 20th century. Other winemaking pioneers followed in the late 19th century, including the founders of Charles Krug, Schramsberg, Inglenook and Beaulieu Vineyards. Yount planted grapes and began producing wine commercially. Winemaking started in Napa in 1838 when George C. With nearly 43,000 acres of vineyards and more than 300 wineries, it is the heart of fine wine production in the United States. Napa Valley AVA is the most famous winemaking region in the United States and one of the most prestigious in the world. The other half is still owned by Baron Philippe de Rothschild, S.A. and assumed 50% of the ownership of Opus One. In 2005 Constellation Brands purchased the Robert Mondavi Corp. About 30,000 cases are produced annually. The winery owns vineyards in Oakville and grows Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. Opus One has earned high praise over the years and is considered one of Napa Valley’s signature wines. Even the label represents a meeting of the two legendary families, since the label shows a stylized profile of both Robert Mondavi and Baron Philippe de Rothschild. The Pauillac/Napa Valley enterprise was a long-time dream of both winemaking families and from Opus One’s first vintage in 1979 it was clear that the idea was to make a wine with character that represented the best of both Bordeaux and Napa Valley. Founded in 1979, Opus One was a joint venture between Robert Mondavi and Baron Philippe de Rothschild of Chateau Mouton Rothschild. This justly famous winery represents one of the most celebrated international winemaking ventures in modern history.
