Opus One was conceived by the late Baron Phillippe de Rothschild, who's innovative thinking and determination brought Château Mouton-Rothschild from Second Growth to First Growth in the official Bordeaux Classification. The Baron saw potential in Napa valley in the form of Robert Mondavi, figurehead for Napa Valley wines. In 1978, they decided on the joint venture in which they would create a superpremium Napa Valley Cabernet.