Grgich Hills Estate Chardonnay “40th Anniversary”
WHY WE LOVE IT
- Grgich Hills is celebrating their 40th anniversary with a special bottling of the varietal that made Miljenko “Mike” Grgich famous – Chardonnay!
- This limited-production, elegant Chardonnay harkens back to an earlier style of Chardonnay by selecting lots that showcase the fresh and bright flavors of this varietal.
- Chardonnay thrives in their Carneros Vineyard in the southern tip of Napa Valley, near San Pablo Bay, which spills into the San Francisco Bay. The cool maritime breezes and fog allow the grapes to slowly ripen to develop complex flavors while maintaining a pleasing natural acidity that is impossible to achieve in warmer areas.
- All of their vineyards are certified organic, and are farmed them naturally, without artificial pesticides or herbicides.
Varietal Composition: 100% Chardonnay
Elaboration: Fermented with naturally occurring yeast and aged 10 months in 60 gallon French oak barrels. 70% new, 30% neutral
Tasting Notes: Juicy flavors of a crisp apple and pear, driven by refreshing acidity.
PRESS
2014 – 92 Wine & Spirits, 91 Wine Enthusiast, 90 Wine Spectator
PRODUCER BACKGROUND
Vintners Hall of Fame inductee Miljenko “Mike” Grgich first earned world-wide recognition when the Chardonnay he crafted won the 1976 Paris Tasting, beating the best of France. This tasting helped shatter the myth that only French soil could produce the world’s greatest wines and drawing international attention to Napa Valley wines. Mike then partnered with Austin Hills to open their family-owned-and-operated winery in 1977.
Since 2003, Grgich Hill’s has produced wines that are 100% estate-grown and bottled. Grgich Hills is committed to natural winegrowing and sustainability, they farm their five estate vineyards without artificial fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides. They are all certified organic. Grgich Hills Estate is deeply rooted in family. The winery was founded by two families, Grgich and Hills, joined together in the pursuit of creating the best wines in the world.
Today, Mike’s daughter, Violet Grgich, is President and Ivo Jeramaz, Mike’s nephew, is Winemaker/VP of Vineyards & Production. Grgich Hills now welcomes a third generation to the winery – Maja Jeramaz, Mike’s grand-niece, and Justin Hills, Austin’s son.