Opus One Team Bios
Auction Napa Valley 2015 Honorary Chairs
David Pearson – CEO
David Pearson has served as the CEO of Opus One Winery since February, 2004. His singular mission is
to uphold the vision of Opus One’s founders to create one wine of absolute quality that expresses place
and time. He has extensive experience with multiple wineries both domestically and internationally
including the Robert Mondavi Corporation and the wines of Baron Philippe de Rothschild, each of whom
were co-founders of Opus One. Mr. Pearson is a Board member for several organizations including the
University of California at Davis, and the Napa Valley Vintners. He and his wife Linnea live in the Napa
Valley and have two daughters and a son.
Robert Fowles – CFO
Robert Fowles joined Opus One Winery as Chief Financial Officer in July 2006, bringing over 20 years of
financial expertise in consumer packaged products. In his role at Opus One, he is responsible for
strategic and financial planning, treasury and risk management, accounting, information technology,
human resources and the Opus One facilities. Mr. Fowles is a Certified Public Accountant, a Chartered
Global Management Accountant, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration
from the University of Connecticut. He resides in the Napa Valley with his wife Linda.
Michael Silacci – Winemaker
Michael joined Opus One in March 2001 as Director of Viticulture and Enology and became Winemaker
in January of 2004, taking on responsibility for all aspects of viticulture and winemaking. Advancing a
holistic vision of winegrowing as the ultimate expression of terroir, Mr. Silacci 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. Mr. Silacci seeks to enhance tradition and
maintain innovation. Mr. Silacci holds a master’s degree in viticulture from the University of California,
Davis in addition to undergraduate degrees in enology from the University of California, Davis and the
Institut d’Oenologie at the Université de Bordeaux.
Laurent Delassus Vice President International Marketing
Laurent Delassus became Vice President of International sales and marketing in September 2012. He is
responsible for the marketing of Opus One outside of the U.S. and oversees Regional Sales Managers in
Hong Kong and Tokyo. He is based in the Opus One International offices in Bordeaux, France. Prior to
his role at Opus One, Mr. Delassus served as Export Managing Director for Veyret-Latour after having
worked for Mahler-Besse, S.A. a négociant also based in Bordeaux. In his role, he was directly involved
in developing fine wine markets, notably in Asia, Russia and Australia. He lives in Bordeaux with his
wife Isabelle and their two daughters.
Robert Roux – Vice President National Sales and Marketing
Robert Roux become Vice President of U.S. Sales and Marketing in September of 2011. He is responsible
for all domestic sales and oversees a sales staff at the winery and four regional managers throughout
the United States. Mr. Roux was previously Executive Director of Marketing and Sales for Caymus
Vineyards. Prior to his seven years at Caymus, he was an Executive Director for Southern Wine & Spirits,
Vice President of Marketing for Kendall-Jackson Winery and Marketing Manager for Robert Mondavi
Winery. Mr. Roux has lectured for several Bay Area colleges, including St. Mary’s College and the
University of San Francisco He lives in St. Helena with his wife, Nina.
Christopher Barefoot - Vice President Public Relations
Christopher Barefoot joined Opus One in July of 2013 as Vice President of Public Relations with
responsibility for all communications, direct marketing, hospitality and events at the winery. In keeping
with the Founders’ desire for absolute wine quality, he believes that the customer’s experience at the
winery is also a reflection on the wine; therefore no detail should be missed. He spent five years
working as the Brand Director for Robert Mondavi Winery in Oakville, managing the Napa Valley and
Reserve labels. Mr. Barefoot holds a BA in French from the University of Virginia, as well as an
International MBA from the University of South Carolina. He resides in the city of Napa.