Bartlett Reserve Competitors

Opus One is the story of a shared dream of two great men of wine: Baron Philippe de Rothschild of Château Mouton Rothschild and renowned Napa Valley vintner Robert Mondavi. By combining the great winemaking traditions and innovations of both families, the founders’ singular goal was to create an exceptional wine in the heart of the Napa Valley. Situated 60 miles north of San Francisco in the Oakville appellation, Opus One’s vineyards comprise 169 acres and are planted to the traditional grape varieties of Bordeaux: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Offering about 25,000 twelve-bottle cases each year, the winery remains dedicated to uncompromised quality. Opus One’s sole purpose is to express the vision and passionate spirit of its founders for generations to come.

Pine Ridge founder Gary Andrus, inspired by the illustrious wines of Bordeaux, believed in the Napa Valley’s potential to produce wines of similar stature. He planted the property’s original namesake vineyard on a steeply terraced hillside flanked by a dramatic ridgeline of pine trees in the Stags Leap District. Gary’s pioneering efforts with this first vineyard were met with tremendous success as the Bordeaux varietals he planted – Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot – thrived and produced wines of great distinction. In the following years, Pine Ridge continued to acquire exceptional vineyard sites across the region. Today, the Estate’s 200-acres span over five renowned Napa Valley appellations – Stags Leap District, Rutherford, Oakville, Carneros and Howell Mountain.

In 1982, Sir Peter and Lady Michael purchased 630 acres of volcanic ridges on the western face of Mount St. Helena in the Knights Valley AVA of Sonoma County. Drawing inspiration from the great wineries of Burgundy and Bordeaux, the family hired like-minded viticulturists and winemakers to help them create terroir-driven, estate Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon blends that would stand the test of time. Today, second-generation Paul Michael and his wife Emily, oversee the winery adhering to the founding principles of mountain vineyards, classical winemaking, and limited production. With a commitment to sustainability, each estate carries the Fish Friendly Farming, Sonoma Certified Sustainable, and California Sustainable Winery & Vineyards certifications.