Few California wineries can match Opus One for global prestige. A famous partnership between Napa's Robert Mondavi and Bordeaux's Baron Philippe de Rothschild, the winery is still making elite Cabernets long after its founders' passing, thanks in large part to one man whose name you might not know: Michael Silacci.

Silacci has guided Opus One for more than two decades, and his résumé lists a Who's Who of winemaking legends, from André Tchelistcheff to Warren Winiarski to Denis Dubourdieu. He joined host James Molesworth in our Napa studio to talk about his life in wine on the newest episode of Wine Spectator's Straight Talk podcast.

And don't forget, there's always more free content at WineSpectator.com!

• Wine Spectator's Nov. 15 cover Story: Composing Opus One

• 2025 Wine Spectator New York Wine Experience Tickets & Info

• James Molesworth's Notes on Tasting: Opus One's Old World Approach

• Opus One Wine Scores and Tasting Notes

• Meghan Zobeck Joins Opus One

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A podcast from Wine Spectator

Marvin R. Shanken, Editor and Publisher

Host: James Molesworth

Director: Robert Taylor

Producer: Gabriela Saldivia

Guest: Michael Silacci

Assistant producer, Napa: Elizabeth Redmayne-Titley

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