Tag: California Wine

Robert Mondavi Winery Unveils 2026 Reopening Experiences – Reservations Now Open for Napa Valley’s Most Anticipated Return

Robert Mondavi Winery, one of Napa Valley’s most iconic estates, has announced that early reservations are officially open for its highly anticipated reopening in spring 2026. After a comprehensive, multi-year renovation, the historic Oakville property is set to debut an inspired array of immersive programs designed to delight both seasoned collectors and passionate wine explorers.

Among the new experiences are expertly guided cellar tours and intimate tastings showcasing Robert Mondavi Winery’s award-winning portfolio of luxury wines, each experience thoughtfully curated to deepen your understanding of Napa Valley’s terroir and the pioneering legacy of Robert and Margrit Mondavi, who helped shape the area’s food, wine, and cultural legacy.

Reservations can be secured through Tock at www.exploretock.com/robertmondavi

Signature Experiences

Napa Discovery Tour & Tasting

$55 per person – Duration: 60 Minutes

Embark on a guided walk through the state-of-the-art production and aging cellars. Conclude your visit with a seated tasting of select wines, led by an expert wine educator, as you explore Napa Valley’s unique terroir and the Mondavis’ indelible impact on California wine culture.

Estate Experience

$85 per person – Duration: 75 Minutes

Engage in a seated tasting that dives deeper into vineyard expression, precision farming, and the winery’s commitment to sustainability. Led by a knowledgeable educator, this experience illuminates the nuanced character of Robert Mondavi’s distinguished vineyard sites.

To Kalon Reserve Tasting

$125 per person – Duration: 75 Minutes

Discover the crown jewel of Robert Mondavi Winery, the legendary To Kalon Vineyard. This exclusive tasting pairs limited-production wines with refined culinary accompaniments, offering unparalleled insight into To Kalon’s heritage and the visionary winemaking it inspires.

This is a rare chance to secure your place at the forefront of Robert Mondavi Winery’s next chapter.

An Exclusive Encounter with Opus One: A Vertical Tasting of Napa’s Crown Jewel

Tucked into the western benchlands of Oakville, Opus One stands as a beacon of sophistication and legacy in Napa Valley winemaking. During a recent visit, I was invited to experience a rare vertical tasting that spanned some of the estate’s most celebrated vintages. This exclusive encounter offered more than a glimpse into the artistry behind each bottle, it was a masterclass in precision, pedigree, and the enduring partnership between two visionaries: Baron Philippe de Rothschild and Robert Mondavi.

During my recent visit, I experienced an unforgettable vertical tasting in the Partners’ Room, hosted by the knowledgeable and gracious Therese Keating, Estate Ambassador. Ms Keating previously provided us with an in-depth insight into the Opus One’s history, viticulture and winemaking philosophy. Against a backdrop of breathtaking vineyard views, we explored three vintages: 2015, 2019, and 2021, each paired with meticulously crafted amuse-bouches.

2015 Opus One

Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon 81%, Cabernet Franc 7%, Merlot 6%, Petit Verdot 4%, Malbec 2%
Skin Contact: 21 days
Barrel Aging: 18 months in new French oak

Tasting Notes: A warm vintage showing opulence and depth. Aromas of dark plum, violet, and tea leaf give way to a lush palate of blackberry, cocoa, and baking spices, creamy texture, fine tannins, and great balance.

Drink Window: 2025–2040
96 points – Liz Palmer

2019 Opus One

Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon 78%, Merlot 8%, Petit Verdot 6%, Malbec 2%
Skin Contact: 22 days
Barrel Aging: 19 months in new French oak

Tasting Notes: A composed and classic vintage. Notes of black currant, rose petal, and graphite lead into layers of espresso, dark chocolate, and savoury herbs. Silky texture, bright acidity, and a lingering finish.

Drink Window: 2025–2045
98 points – Liz Palmer

2021 Opus One

Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon 93%, Cabernet Franc 4%, Petit Verdot 2%, Merlot 0.5%, Malbec 0.5%
Skin Contact: 19 days
Barrel Aging: 19.5 months in new French oak

Tasting Notes: From one of the driest growing seasons on record, this vintage is defined by purity and finesse. Aromas of cassis, violet, and black cherry evolve into a palate of elegant tannins and a finish marked by truffle, vanilla, and spice.

Drink Window: 2029–2049
99 points – Liz Palmer

Each wine was paired with exquisite culinary expressions, from bacon and Roquefort canelés to truffle-scented morel gâteau, amplifying the sensory journey. This rare opportunity to observe how the estate’s wines evolve in character and structure over time was both intellectually stimulating and emotionally resonant.

Final Reflections

Opus One is more than a wine estate; it is a living philosophy, where tradition and innovation are intertwined with purpose and grace. Every detail, from grape to glass, reflects a pursuit of perfection rooted in legacy and collaboration. For connoisseurs and collectors, a visit to Opus One is nothing short of a pilgrimage, an invitation to experience the art of fine winemaking at its most refined.

“The most unique wine tasting experience in Napa is at Opus One. Uncover the art of Bordeaux blends, breathtaking architecture, and a wine experience like no other.” — Liz Palmer

Opus One Winery

📍 7900 St. Helena Highway, Oakville, CA
🌐 https://en.opusonewinery.comm

The Opus One Experience: Napa’s Crown Jewel of Wine Tasting

History and Vision

The story of Opus One is not simply that of a winery; it is the embodiment of a groundbreaking partnership that transformed American winemaking. Conceived in 1978 and officially founded in 1980, Opus One was born from the visionary alliance between two legendary figures: Baron Philippe de Rothschild of Château Mouton Rothschild in Pauillac and Robert Mondavi, the pioneering force behind Napa Valley’s global reputation.

Their bold ambition was to create a single, world-class Bordeaux-style wine from Napa terroir, one that could stand alongside France’s First Growths. Initially dubbed Napamédoc, a name that reflected the transatlantic partnership, the winery adopted the name “Opus One” in 1982. This new name symbolized a harmonious blend of classical artistry and enological mastery. The debut vintages, 1979 and 1980, were jointly released in 1984 to great acclaim, priced at $50 per bottle, an unprecedented figure for a California wine at the time.

Architectural Grandeur

Nestled on the west side of Oakville’s iconic Highway 29, directly across from the original Robert Mondavi Winery, the Opus One estate is a stunning fusion of neoclassical elegance and Californian modernism. Completed in 1991, the architecture reflects the winery’s ethos, timeless, balanced, and quietly majestic.

From above, the estate takes the shape of a wine glass, a subtle nod to the artistry within. Inside, a sweeping spiral staircase and a luminous central atrium create a sense of reverence, much like entering a European museum.

The Partners’ Room

My tasting was held in the exclusive Partners’ Room, a glass-encased sanctuary offering sweeping 180-degree views of northern Napa Valley. Designed with understated luxury, the room captures the spirit of Opus One, refined, thoughtful, and rooted in precision. Reserved for private tastings, including verticals of rare library vintages, the space is adorned with archival photographs that honour the legacy of Rothschild and Mondavi. Here, architecture, landscape, and wine coalesce in a seamless tribute to partnership and vision.

A Philosophy of Precision

Opus One’s approach to winemaking is resolutely singular: to craft one exceptional wine from each vintage. Under the stewardship of winemaker and viticulturist Michael Silacci, every step of the process is carried out with painstaking attention to detail.

Grapes are harvested and sorted by hand, and gravity-flow systems are employed to preserve fruit integrity. Fermentation takes place in small stainless-steel tanks, allowing for extended maceration and maximum extraction of colour, structure, and aromatics. The result is a wine that is both powerful and elegant, a reflection of terroir and time.

The Opus One Tasting Experience

Guests are guided through curated tastings by Estate Ambassadors, who offer in-depth insights into the winery’s history, viticulture, and winemaking philosophy.

During my recent visit, I experienced an unforgettable vertical tasting in the Partners’ Room, hosted by the knowledgeable and gracious Therese Keating, Estate Ambassador. Ms Keating previously provided us with an in-depth insight into the Opus One’s history, viticulture and winemaking philosophy. Against a backdrop of breathtaking vineyard views, we explored three vintages: 2015, 2019, and 2021, each paired with meticulously crafted amuse-bouches.

2015 Opus One

Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon 81%, Cabernet Franc 7%, Merlot 6%, Petit Verdot 4%, Malbec 2%
Skin Contact: 21 days
Barrel Aging: 18 months in new French oak

Tasting Notes: A warm vintage showing opulence and depth. Aromas of dark plum, violet, and tea leaf give way to a lush palate of blackberry, cocoa, and baking spices. Creamy texture, fine tannins, and great balance.

Drink Window: 2025–2040

2019 Opus One

Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon 78%, Merlot 8%, Petit Verdot 6%, Malbec 2%
Skin Contact: 22 days
Barrel Aging: 19 months in new French oak

Tasting Notes: A composed and classic vintage. Notes of black currant, rose petal, and graphite lead into layers of espresso, dark chocolate, and savoury herbs. Silky texture, bright acidity, and a lingering finish.

Drink Window: 2025–2045

2021 Opus One

Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon 93%, Cabernet Franc 4%, Petit Verdot 2%, Merlot 0.5%, Malbec 0.5%
Skin Contact: 19 days
Barrel Aging: 19.5 months in new French oak

Tasting Notes: From one of the driest growing seasons on record, this vintage is defined by purity and finesse. Aromas of cassis, violet, and black cherry evolve into a palate of elegant tannins and a finish marked by truffle, vanilla, and spice.

Drink Window: 2029–2049

Each wine was paired with exquisite culinary expressions, from bacon and Roquefort canelés to truffle-scented morel gâteau, amplifying the sensory journey. This rare opportunity to observe how the estate’s wines evolve in character and structure over time was both intellectually stimulating and emotionally resonant.

Final Reflections

Opus One is more than a wine estate; it is a living philosophy, where tradition and innovation are intertwined with purpose and grace. Every detail, from grape to glass, reflects a pursuit of perfection rooted in legacy and collaboration. For connoisseurs and collectors, a visit to Opus One is nothing short of a pilgrimage, an invitation to experience the art of fine winemaking at its most refined.

“The most unique wine tasting experience in Napa is at Opus One. Uncover the art of Bordeaux blends, breathtaking architecture, and a wine experience like no other.” — Liz Palmer

Opus One Winery

📍 7900 St. Helena Highway, Oakville, CA
🌐 https://en.opusonewinery.com

Hog Island Oysters by the Sea: A Quintessential California Coastline Experience

Situated along the windswept shore of Tomales Bay in Northern California, Hog Island Oysters is far more than a traditional oyster farm; it’s an immersive coastal experience that captures the character and heritage of the California coastline. Through its seamless blend of natural beauty, artisanal craftsmanship, and a strong sense of place, Hog Island Oysters has established itself as a landmark for both culinary and cultural exploration.

Hog Island Oysters is part rustic oyster shack, part inviting waterfront eatery, complemented by a working oyster farm and its accompanying facilities. Perched right on the water’s edge, it offers sweeping views across Tomales Bay. The crisp, salty air, the sight of seabirds gliding overhead, and the sound of waves create a serene backdrop, making it an ideal setting for an afternoon of shellfish and sunshine.

I found it more than a beautiful destination; it is also a working farm that has sustainably cultivated some of California’s finest oysters for over 40 years. Grown in the cold, mineral-rich waters of the bay, these plump, briny gems can be sampled right where they’re harvested. From shucking classes to “shuck your own” picnics,

We settled at a rustic wooden table by the water, a plate of a dozen freshly shucked oysters that were plump, savoury, and tasting like the very essence of the sea. Paired with a crisp glass of local sparkling wine, it was a moment that encapsulated the very best of the California coast. Hog Island Oysters is a reminder that life’s finest pleasures are often the simplest: a plate of fresh oysters, a panoramic view, and the sound of the sea. What more could one ask for?

A Napa Valley Icon: Oakville Grocery & Wine Merchant

While exploring Napa Valley recently, I couldn’t resist stopping by Oakville Grocery, a true icon of the region! Established in 1881, this historic spot is California’s oldest continually operating grocery, and you can feel its heritage the moment you walk through the door. It’s a beautifully curated space, packed with artisanal cheeses, freshly baked bread, house‑made salads, olive oils, and a bounty of delicious, locally sourced delights. It’s a paradise for food lovers, a time‑honoured piece of Napa’s charm, and an absolute must‑visit when you’re in wine country!

Right next door is Oakville Wine Merchant; this is a must‑visit for wine lovers! I found over 60 wines by the glass, featuring some of Napa’s finest producers! Housed in a charming 150‑year‑old Victorian building, it also serves as the 1881 Napa Wine History Museum. The tasting room combines historical significance with contemporary hospitality.  It’s a perfect spot to sample wines, examine their labels, and gain deeper insights into Napa Valley’s rich winemaking heritage.

Oakville Grocery and Oakville Wine Merchant occupy a prime location along Highway 29, in the heart of Napa Valley, within close proximity to iconic estates including: Opus One, Robert Mondavi, and Silver Oak. After attending the “Opus One Experience,” I found this historic venue to be a welcoming space for pausing, contemplating, and deepening my understanding of Napa Valley’s rich winemaking legacy.

I highly recommend visiting Oakville Grocery and Oakville Wine Merchant as essential destinations for anyone exploring Napa Valley. These two historic buildings embody a living testament to Napa’s rich heritage and cultural identity. Offering not only an exceptional selection of artisanal foods and world-class wines but also a deep connection to the region’s history, they provide a memorable complement to the celebrated wines and enduring traditions that have shaped this iconic terroir.

For further details: https://www.oakvillegrocery.com/