In honor of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Miljenko “Mike” Grgich, we dedicate the wonderful year of 2019 to him.
The wine is a tribute to his many years of work. The complex aromas of blackberries, rose hips, red currants and blood oranges are followed by sweet cherry, blueberry, rosemary and smoky flavors. The tannins are soft, round and velvety, leading to a long and elegant finish. The early part of 2019 saw more rain than usual, with Rutherford receiving over 1200mm of rain in a few months. The vineyards were well-hydrated and the soil was cooler than normal, which led to a late start to budbreak. Spring and summer were mild, with no heatwaves until August. Harvest began in early September and ended the first week of November. Napa Valley
It is one of the second oldest Cabernet Sauvignon parcels in the region, planted in 1959 and grown on Inglenook Creek rootstock from St. George.
The vineyard is planted with Lone Niebaum Cabernet Sauvignon #29, also known as.
The vines, which are over 60 years old, absorb as many nutrients as possible and extend their roots deep into the subsoil. The grapes that grow from these have fewer bunches, but have more concentrated and powerful flavors that express the terroir and complexity of the land. All are grown using regenerative farming methods (regenerative organic certified in March 2023) and certified organic (CCOF, actually practicing biodynamic farming). In 1976, following the results of the famous Paris tasting, Mienko "Mike" Grgich became known to the world. A blind tasting of top French wines and Californian wines was held, and the 1973 Montelena Chardonnay from California was selected as the top white wine. Mike Grgich was the man who made this wine, which led to Californian wine being recognized worldwide.
The following year, Mike partnered with Austin Hills of Hills Brothers Coffee to establish Grgich Hills Cellars in Napa Valley. It was on Independence Day in 1977. Mr. Hills was originally a management specialist and owned several vineyards in the prime location of Rutherford in Napa Valley, so he was able to not only fund the winery but also closely supervise the business side of things. Meanwhile, Mike was a true winemaker and was dedicated to making the highest quality wines. The rich and complex Chardonnays that the two of them created in perfect harmony went on to win awards around the world and captured the hearts of wine lovers. Grgich Hills wines are known for their stable quality and long-term aging potential, and have been enjoyed at dinner parties by Presidents Reagan and Clinton of the United States and Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom. However, what makes the winery truly happy is when Grgich Hills wines are served on the dinner table of an ordinary family, making special occasions and meals even more memorable.
The winery currently produces six wines. Each one is carefully brewed with sensitivity, while taking advantage of its individuality, but it is the Chardonnay that is made with special care. It has an elegant aroma and delicate taste in perfect balance. Other wines produced include Fumé Blanc, which is a sibling of Chardonnay, rich and spicy Zinfandel, deep and full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon, somewhat sexy Merlot, and Violetta, a dessert wine with an elegant and sweet taste named after Mike's beloved daughter. Mike, whose trademark is his blue beret, is still in good health at over 90 years old. In 2008, he was inducted into the Vintners Hall of Fame, which honors people who have contributed to the California wine industry. Grgich Hills is currently helmed by Mike's beloved daughter Violet and nephew Ivo Jeramaz. In order to never rest on their laurels, the two work hard to improve the quality of their wines every year.
Sustainable grape production is of utmost importance to Grgich Hills. We believe that environmentally friendly farming practices are the only realistic long-term way to maintain healthy and fertile vineyards, which in turn will result in higher quality grapes. Grgich Hills practices organic farming in its five vineyards, brewing wines using only natural yeasts without the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides. Mike's favorite phrase, "Homemade wine, delivered directly from the field to your glass!" is a surefire way of putting this into practice, and we strive to create delicate and elegant wines that are easy to pair with food. Since 2003, all Grgich Hills wines have been labeled "Estate Grown."
This certifies that the wine was made from 100% grapes from our own vineyards. In 2006, the winery switched completely to solar power. To commemorate this, the winery name was changed to Grgich Hills Estate in 2007.