Michael Silacci joined Opus One in March 2011 as director of viticulture and enology and became winemaker in January of 2004, taking on responsibility for all aspects of vineyard management and winemaking. As a people person and caring man, Silacci has been working together with his team, giving them the opportunity to express their skills. His work has been primarily to focus on the soils and the wine growing, which are the key to the quality and the style of the wines of Opus One. Prior to Opus One, Mr. Silacci spent 6 years as winemaker at Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, one year as winemaker at King Estate in Oregon, and 6 years at Beaulieu Vineyard. He also made wine in France and Chile. Advancing a holistic vision of winegrowing as the ultimate expression of terroir, Michael ensures that the connection between viticulture and winemaking at Opus One is seamless, reflecting the philosophy of founders Baron Philippine de Rothschild and Robert Mondavi.
