I would never have purchased a bottle of wine priced at over $200. However work colleague introduced me to Opus One. He was comparing Opus One to silk. So...

Seriously Opus One? Your winery is not impressive AT ALL.

I came here for a tour and the guide was a complete spaz. She was all over the place in her...

Very good wine. Great scenery. Ridiculous price.

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It's no secret that Opus One is some of the highest rated wine in all of Napa Valley but as far as a place to go for a wine tasting, I would personally stay away. The tasting room is overly pretentious and for $25 you get one taste in a glass with an etched line marking the precise volume of wine required for one taste. It was kind of funny on one hand you're drinking 2 oz of wine for $25 yet on the other hand you have a glass with a measuring line on it. If you want to try Opus One I would recommend just sucking it up and buying a bottle to share with friends, that feel like a much better value than going to the tasting room.

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You can?t visit Nape without noticing the impressive Opus landmark. An amazing structure combining classic architecture with ultra modern form. The tasting room was austere and there were only one wine to taste at $30 a glass. As this was the 03 vintage it seemed folly to taste it so young. We had already tasted this fairly recently and I rated it at a 92 point wine. It is a solid cabernet with ripe cherries and blackcurrants. Instead we purchased a case of Overture, their second wine which at $75 remains good value compared to the $$$ Opus One if you can get it.

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What else could you ask for when you're touring the wine country in Napa Valley?

We first visited the Opus One facilities in 1986; we were on a driving tour, out from Connecticut to reacquaint ourselves with many of our old haunts in the Napa Valley. Opus One was not an old, familiar place during the 60's and early 70's, so its building intrigued us.

THE PLACE
Opus One's buildings seem out of character and out of place in the vineyards of the valley. The marble and the building's angles just don't belong in that place! And yet, it is that out of touch, that separation from the rest of the valley's architecture and some of the kitchey attempts to get the attention of the tourists that contribute to the lure of this winery's facade.

I confess that my first impression of the building was that I was looking at a religious mausoleum. I couldn't identify any religious order to which the thing might belong, but I was certain it was indeed a burial crypt.

But, looks can be deceiving, and indeed in this case, they were. The signs out front clearly ID this as a winery.

What isn't clear from the drive-by sense is whether or not you are welcome to 'drop in.'

Since this was not our first visit, we were aware of the request for reservations. We had called and made an appoitment.

THE OPTIONS
One has two choices for a visit to the winery, one may make reservations for the $35.00 Tour and Tasting, or one may opt to skip the tour and visit the tasting room. Tasting is $30.00 per person, and there are no other perks that go along with the tasting for that price of admission...you get no glass, no food, and no seconds.

However, you do get to taste the current release and you get to taste the current release of the Overture blend.

For this visit, we opted for the tasting only, skipping the tour. However, I heartily recommend that you take the tour on your first visit.

It's on that tour where you'll hear the story of the winery, and where you'll receive an education in the vineyard management practices and the winemaking techniques employed.

A DIGRESSION ON PRICE
Opus One is priced in the marketplace beyond my ability to pay; so, I fully understand the views that the wine is good but not worth the price.

I demur that allegation however.

There is a huge difference between the statements: I can't afford it (whatever 'it' is), and It isn't worth the price.

I can't afford Opus One; however, having taken the tour, I'm aware of the production technique differences between creating a bottle of Opus One and a bottle of, say, Gallo of Sonoma cab (a wine I rather enjoy, can afford, and drink). In my view, Opus One is worth the price; I wish I had more discretionary income.

STAFF & THE TASTING FACILITIES

I suspect the difference between being treated as a guest and treated as a party crasher by the staff has to do with the call ahead.

Reservations are requested, but walk-ins are not executed or thrown out on their ears. So it is understandable that the staff attends those who courtesly called ahead. The aside here that might be of value, is that when you call ahead and make your reservation, you'll not be denied a spot. The winery staff will do all they can to accommodate handling you and your party. Just make the damn phone call, and you'll find you are treated brilliantly by the staff.

The tasting room, at least for all the 6 or 7 times we've visited the place, is comfortable and accommodates easily the folks who have called ahead. That, and the pourers are (or indeed were for us) friendly, knowledgeable, and extremely helpful.

THE PLACE IS YOURS

But tasting at Opus One isn't limited to a little room where one stands at a bar and sips at the meager amount of wine poured into that giant glass.

As a taster, you are encouraged to walk the building and visit the roof-top to enjoy the panoramic views. And, you may take your glass with it's sip of wine along with you.

MISC OBSERVATIONS AND COMMENTS
I like this place, and I like the fact that I get to sample wines of the price (and quality) without having to lay out the costs of a bottle of the stuff.