Grgich Hills Estate
by Monica L. Dashwood
Grgich Hills Estate’s 40th Anniversary
Come celebrate the 40th anniversary of Grgich Hills Estate Winery for the best in times and small-lot wines. The iconic winery, located off St. Helena Highway in Rutherford, made history over four decades ago by putting Napa Valley wines on the map and upholding a world-class reputation second to none.
First, a little History
Founder Miljenko “Mike” Grgich first gained international recognition at the celebrated “Paris Tasting” of 1976. Then, in a now-historic blind tasting, a panel of eminent French judges swirled, sniffed and sipped an array of the fabled white Burgundies of France and a small sampling of upstart Chardonnays from the Napa Valley. When their scores were tallied, the French judges were shocked: they had chosen the 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay, crafted by Mike Grgich, as the finest white wine in the world. The results stunned the international wine establishment and immediately earned Mike a reputation as one of the greatest winemakers in the world.
Don’t Miss Their One Time Only Exclusive 40th Anniversary Chardonnay
As part of the historic celebration, Grgich Hills is proud to announce a special, limited-production wine. This vintage recalls an earlier style of Chardonnay, with crispness, rich body and refined elegance. Small lots were chosen to showcase the fresh, bright, juicy flavors of crisp apple and pear, driven by refreshing acidity and a clean mouthfeel. “The quality of our wine is first created in the vineyard through grape growing,” says Ivo Jeramaz, winemaker at Grgich Hills Estate and nephew of Mike Grgich. “The grapes for this wine came from our oldest vines in Carneros that produce fruit with impressive flavor.”
Grgich Hills’s Enticing Collection Offers
Two New Tiers of Small-Lot Wines
Using only estate-grown fruit, Grgich Hills offers an impressive portfolio of high-quality wines. Committed to natural winegrowing and sustainability, they farm five estate vineyards without artificial pesticides or herbicides, rely on wild yeast fermentation and use their passion and art to handcraft food-friendly, balanced and elegant wines. Their menu of wines offers two new distinct tiers to wine club members and those who visit the winery.
The Miljenko’s Selections: This consists of single-vineyard wines such as Petite Sirah, Petit Verdot and Rutherford Cabernet. These handcrafted wines at are primarily sold to wine club members and winery visitors.
The Legacy Selections: These wines are the winery’s most coveted, including the Paris Tasting Commemorative Chardonnay, Yountville Old Vine Cabernet Sauvignon and Miljenko’s Old Vine Zinfandel.
The Napa Valley Selections continue to be their most widely distributed wines.
Grgich Hills Estate
The iconic Grgich Hills Estate in Napa Valley, has consistently produced world-class wines since 1977. Led by Vintners Hall of Fame inductee Mike Grgich, who has long been a proponent of natural winegrowing and sustainability, the winery grows its grapes without artificial fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides, relying on wild yeast fermentation and the celebrated winemaker’s passion to handcraft food-friendly, balanced and elegant wines. While many other Napa wineries pursue strategies of expansion, Mike—along with his daughter, Violet Grgich, and his nephew, Ivo Jeramaz—prefer to stay small. They aim, year after year, to improve the quality of their vineyards and their wines, relying on Mike’s distinctive artistic and intuitive touch.
Unique Wine Tasting Experiences
Grgich Hills Estate offers three flights for you to enjoy in their inviting tasting room.
Napa Valley Flight – $25 per person. This tasting consists of the
2013 Chardonnay, 2014 Fume Blanc, 2012 Zinfandel, 2013 Merlot,
2013 Cabernet Sauvignon.
Miljenko’s Flight– $40 per person. This tasting includes the 2014 Napa Valley Essence, Sauvignon Blanc, 2014 Miljenko’s Chardonnay, 2012 Miljenko’s Old Vine Zinfandel, 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, Yountville Selection and 2013 Violetta, Late Harvest.
Cabernet Flight – $60 per person. This tasting includes the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, Miljenko’s Selection, 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley; 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley; 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, Yountville Selection; 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Yountville Selection
Seated Tastings
Enjoy a private tasting on their beautiful patio or in one of their exquisite rooms located in the winery. Your host will guide you through five limited-production and specialty wines paired with artisan cheeses, $50 per person. Please allow 45 minutes for this experience. Reservations are required.
Save the Date: 40th Anniversary Open House Event
Co-founders, Mike Grgich and Austin Hills are still alive and well. The winery will be hosting their 40th anniversary Open House with the Grgich and Hills families on Saturday, July 29th from 11am to 3pm! Don’t miss this progressive one-time event where tastings will take place at each barrel and table; and the Chardonnay will run out quickly! $40 per person. $30 wine club members.
From https://www.winecountrythisweek.com/articles/grgich-hills-estate-15