Two prestigious institutions are coming together to ignite the creative spark in young composers. This summer, Opus One Winery, renowned for its exquisite wines, and the Fontainebleau Schools of Music and Fine Arts, a beacon of cultural collaboration, will unite to offer scholarships for aspiring musicians. These awards will provide students with the opportunity to study composition at the esteemed Les Écoles D’art Américaines de Fontainebleau (EAAF) in France, where they can immerse themselves in an environment steeped in artistic tradition.

The Château de Fontainebleau, with its storied history and breathtaking surroundings, serves as a source of inspiration for countless artists. Each year, it welcomes students from around the globe who wish to enhance their skills in music and architecture. The school’s legacy includes instruction by legendary figures such as Nadia Boulanger, Maurice Ravel, and Leonard Bernstein. Renowned composers like Aaron Copland, Philip Glass, and Quincy Jones have also walked its halls. The castle’s historical charm and natural beauty create an ideal setting for nurturing creativity and innovation among its attendees.

This partnership reflects a shared vision of promoting modernity and artistic excellence. Through this initiative, five talented students will be selected to receive scholarships to compose original works inspired by the château’s heritage. Among them, one composer will earn the distinguished Opus One International Composition Prize. As part of this honor, the winner will serve as Opus One’s Composer in Residence for the year and collaborate with musicians from EAAF to perform their piece at the Napa Valley winery on September 13th, 2025. Furthermore, the recipient will craft another work inspired by the winery’s architectural elegance and vineyard landscapes, which will premiere the following September.

Art and culture have always been at the heart of Opus One’s mission. Founded in 1978 through a groundbreaking alliance between Baron Philippe de Rothschild and Robert Mondavi, the winery has consistently supported the arts. Their commitment extends beyond wine production into fostering creativity across various disciplines. By partnering with the Fontainebleau Schools, Opus One continues its legacy of championing artistic brilliance, ensuring that future generations of composers and musicians thrive in a world enriched by cross-cultural exchanges and innovative expression.