Oakville, CA, November 9, 2023 – Opus One Winery CEO, Christopher Lynch, and Winemaker, Michael Silacci, are pleased to announce the appointment of Kimberlee Marinelli as Assistant Winemaker & Viticulturist. In addition to being a member of the winemaking team, Kimberlee is responsible for all aspects of carbon capture, agroecology, and regenerative farming.
Prior to joining Opus One in August 2021 as an intern, Kimberlee worked in various winemaking, viticulture, and hospitality roles at Demetria Estate & Vineyards, Great Bear Vineyards, and the UC Davis Research Winery. The Boston native holds a master’s degree in viticulture & enology from UC Davis, where she focused on redox potential of fermentations and winery automation.
Kimberlee fully embraces the principle that classic wines are an expression of place and believes that the protection of community, natural ecosystems, and biodiversity is integral to true preservation of terroir. She is among the founding members of the ABUELITOS Coalition, a local organization with the goal to build climate resiliency in the Napa Valley.
Says Ms. Marinelli, ““I am elated by the opportunity to grow as both a winemaker and viticulturist at such an iconic winery as Opus One. I am proud to work for an organization whose commitment spans farther than legacy & wine quality, it embodies innovation, sustainability, forward thinking, the individual and the community. Opus One’s winemaking team is nothing short of special. It is predominantly women led & I am honored to work alongside such inspirational women!”
Created in 1978 by the legendary Baron Philippe de Rothschild and Robert Mondavi, the iconic champion of Napa Valley in California, Opus One remains committed to realizing our founders’ dream—bringing to life one unique wine that expresses time and place, which embodies the personality and character of our founders. Opus One produces a Bordeaux style blend based on Cabernet Sauvignon grown in our estate vineyards in Oakville, California. Currently distributed in all 50 states and in 90 countries around the world, Opus One is now a joint venture between Baron Philippe de Rothschild S.A. and Constellation Brands.
