Opus One To Expand Winery, But Output Will Remain Stable

Napa Valley’s Opus One tells SND that while Napa County has approved a doubling of its production permit to 250,000 gallons (105,000 cases) annually, the winery has no plans to markedly expand the volume of its namesake luxury red blend.

Noting that Opus One’s output is bound by its 170 acres of vineyards, vice president, communications Christopher Barefoot described the move as an administrative fix, not a business plan to boost production. Napa County, he said, monitors wineries’ production limits by taking a rolling average across vintages. In the last few years, Opus One found it was running up against its 110,000-gallon permit, as the 28,600 cases of Opus One Napa Valley 2012 ($255), the current release, was the most ever produced. The winery thus applied to the county to gain a buffer in plentiful vintages. “We don’t intend to get anywhere near 250,000 gallons,” Barefoot said.

Opus One does intend to expand its fermentation and barrel storage capabilities, which will be enhanced with a 52,000-square-foot addition to the winery. That space will also house a visitor center and offices. The company, which is jointly owned by Baron Philippe de Rothschild SA and Constellation Brands, declined to put a dollar number on the investment.

Tagged : Baron Philippe de Rothschild SA, Constellation Brands, Opus One

GET YOUR FIRST LOOK AT 2021 DATA AND 2022 PROJECTIONS FOR THE WINE AND SPIRITS INDUSTRIES. ORDER YOUR 2022 IMPACT DATABANK REPORTS. CLICK HERE.