Why Is It Called Oroppas?
Oroppas is the big crowd pleaser from St Clement. It’s a big, approachable Cabernet Sauvignon made in the style of French Bordeaux.
But what about that name?
Some say it sounds like the name of a Greek deity, and some staff have conjoured tales about a mystical fairy of the vineyards. Some think it’s a unique Mediterranean varietal that has been brought to Napa Valley.
But the name Oroppas comes from none of the above. The story is actually much simpler and much more accidental.
From 1985 – 1989, Japanese beer maker Sapporo owned the St Clement winery. When they asked for this style of wine to be made, to compete with the likes of Opus One down the street, it needed a name.
After a long night that involved little brainstorming and much drinking, the naming team scribbled down Oroppas and offered it to ownership thinking it was so ridiculous it would buy them some more time.
Except the Japanese loved it. The simple act of spelling Sapporo backwards had a fun play on words. Say it slowly, and then speed it up. It almost sounds like “Our Opus.”
Not a bad name for wine that was being asked to compete with Opus One.
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[Disclosure: St Clement is a member of Fosters Wine Estates. Jen is a sales rep for the company and we were a guest of the winery.]
i thought Jenn know NOT TO DRINK when you are pregnant….
My wife is a wine industry professional. Wine tasting Done right actually includes no drinking. That’s what the silver spit buckets on the table are for.