The 2016 Opus One is produced from four different parcels situated in the western region of the†Oakville AVA†in†Napa Valley,†California. The first two parcels form the world-renowned†To-Kalon vineyard, measuring roughly 100 acres in total. The grapes from here are blended with fruit from the River and Ballestra Pacels, forming 70 acres that surround the Opus One winery. The Opus One vineyards are planted with classic Bordeaux grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot.

The vintage

The†2016 vintage†at Opus One was the fifth consecutive vintage characterized by intense drought conditions in Northern California. Nevertheless, the Oakville AVA received 28 inches of rain, most of it just in time for bud break in March. In August, perfect conditions for ripening the grapes continued up until the harvest, with a temperature spike in early September. The harvest began on the 9^th†of September under mild conditions and was completed in just 33 days on October 12.

Vinification and aging

Out in the Opus One vineyards, winemaker Michael Silacci (who has been at the winery for over two decades) begins tasting grapes rather early in order to pinpoint the perfect harvest date. Optical sorting at the winery ensures only the best fruit goes into the blend. The maceration period for the 2016 Opus One was 17 days and the wine was aged for†18 months in new French oak barrels.