LEGACY | CULTIVATION | HISTORY
Our Estate Vineyards
CALISTOGA
RUTHERFORD
AMERICAN CANYON
CARNEROS
YOUNTVILLE
Grgich Hills Estates cultivates estate vineyards across hundreds of acres.
Ivo on Farming Practices
Flavors from Soil
The flavor of wine captured in the wine glass starts with the grapes which are fed by the nutrients found in the vineyard soil.
Organic Farming and Terroir
The concept of terroir is rooted in the idea of place. Organic farming allows the land to be unadulterated, thus the wine will show the true essence of the vineyard.
Fighting Diseases with Healthy Soil
Only healthy soil can promote healthy vines. Farming organically ultimately helps prevent against disease in the vineyard.
Beyond Winemaking
Great wine begins in the vineyard. As a farmer you want to do right by the land and be proud of what you grow and produce.
Long term vineyard health
A healthy, organically grown vineyard is far more profitable in the long-term. Vineyards that are not chemically farmed can survive longer, providing fruit for decades.
Healthy Microbes, healthy Plants
Healthy microbes in the soil prepare necessary nutrients that feed the vines. Happy, healthy vines reward us with wonderfully tasting grapes.
Fighting Pollution
We see pollution everywhere these days. Organic farming reduces contaminated water runoff as well as CO2 emissions.
Feeding and Encouraging Microbes
You have to feed cows every day, it’s a no brainer, but we never think about feeding microbes. So you have to feed them and in return they work with plants.
Calistoga
With cloudless days and cool nighttime temperatures, our 34-acre Calistoga vineyard is perfect for growing sun-loving Zinfandel, 2.9 acres of which were planted more than 100 years ago. Our Miljenko’s Old Vine Zinfandel is the showcase for these wines.
Purchased: 1997
Dates Planted: 1889, 1985, 1999, 2000
Total Acreage: 34
Zinfandel – 21.5 acres
Cabernet Sauvignon – 7.6 acres
Petite Sirah – 2.6 acres
Crljenak Kaštelanski – 2.3 acres
Soil: Reddish, gravelly loam that has excellent drainage
American Canyon
This is the largest of our five vineyards. We can receive higher quality, concentrated fruit with slightly cooler temperatures than Carneros and stronger winds that reduce the vines’ vigor.
Purchased: 1996
Planted: 1998, 1999, 2000
Total Acreage: 121.5
Chardonnay – 60.5 acres
Sauvignon Blanc – 42 acres
Merlot – 11.6 acres
Riesling and Gewürztraminer – 5.0 acres
Soil: Primarily sandy loam, some clay loam topsoil over slate subsoil. Merlot planted to clay.
Rutherford
Purchased/Planted: 1977
Replanted: 2000
Total Acreage: 17.6
Cabernet Sauvignon – 16.6 acres
Petit Verdot – 1 acre
Soil: Gravelly clay loam, which is part of the Rutherford alluvial fan
Carneros
Summer fog and constant cooling wines make it arguably one of the finest regions to grow Chardonnay. These prized vines produce our legendary Chardonnay, and the best blocks we reserve for our Paris Tasting “Commemorative” Chardonnay and Miljenko’s Selection Chardonnay.
Purchased: 1989
Dates Planted: 1989, 1990, 1994, 2000
Total Acreage: 86.6
Chardonnay – 58 acres
Cabernet Sauvignon – 11.2 acres
Merlot – 7.1 acres
Sauvignon Blanc – 5.2 acres
Cabernet Franc – 5.1 acres
Soil: Clay, loam
Yountville
Our 63-acre Yountville vineyard grows classic Bordeaux varietals on the valley floor. This vineyard is home to a 25-acre plot which are the second oldest Cabernet Sauvignon vines and was planted in 1959. These vines are showcased in our Yountville Old Vine Cabernet Sauvignon.
Purchased: 1984
Dates Planted: 1959, 1997, 2000, 2001
Total Acreage: 63.3
Cabernet Sauvignon – 52.8 acres
Petit Verdot – 5.4 acres
Merlot – 5.1 acres
Soil: Clay loam and loam topsoil, pebbly subsoil that encourages the vine’s roots to dig deep for nutrients and water