Grgich Hills Estate

Grgich Hills Estate is the personal legacy of Miljenko "Mike" Grgich, the Croatian immigrant who made the 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay that defeated four white Burgundies at the 1976 Judgment of Paris. That single wine changed the trajectory of California winemaking and made Grgich one of the most famous winemakers in the world. In 1977, a year after the Paris triumph, Grgich partnered with Austin Hills (of the Hills Bros. Coffee family) to found Grgich Hills, giving the winemaker his own estate to pursue his vision of balanced, age-worthy wines. Grgich passed away in 2023 at the age of 100, but the estate continues under the guidance of his nephew Ivo Jeramaz.

The estate encompasses 366 acres of certified organic and biodynamic vineyards across Napa Valley, making Grgich Hills one of the largest biodynamically farmed estates in the region. The commitment to organic and biodynamic farming reflected Grgich's belief that healthy soil produces the most flavorful and expressive grapes. The vineyards span multiple appellations, from the warm Rutherford benchland to cooler Carneros sites, providing fruit for a portfolio that includes Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Fume Blanc, and Merlot.

Winemaker Ivo Jeramaz, who worked alongside his uncle for decades, maintains the Grgich style: balanced wines of moderate alcohol, natural fermentation, and minimal intervention. The Chardonnay remains the flagship, fermented in French oak without malolactic conversion to preserve the bright acidity and mineral character that won in Paris. The Cabernet Sauvignon is structured and earthy, built for aging rather than immediate gratification. The Fume Blanc and Zinfandel round out a portfolio that emphasizes food-friendliness and balance over raw power.

The tasting room on Highway 29 in Rutherford is warm and inviting, with the story of the Judgment of Paris woven throughout the experience. The standard tasting includes current releases, while the library tasting features older vintages that demonstrate how the wines age. The estate's organic and biodynamic certifications are a frequent topic of conversation, and the staff can explain the farming practices in detail. The grounds include beautiful gardens and a small museum dedicated to Grgich's life and legacy.

Grgich Hills is both a monument to one man's achievement and a living winery that continues to evolve. Mike Grgich proved that a Croatian immigrant with a Burgundian palate could make a wine that beat the French at their own game, and then spent the next 47 years building an estate that embodied his values of balance, sustainability, and humility. For visitors, tasting the Chardonnay in the room where Grgich's story is told is one of the most moving experiences in American wine country.