Grgich Hills Estate Merlot
WHY WE LOVE IT
- This cool climate Merlot is sourced from their estate vineyards in southern Napa Valley, within sight of the San Francisco Bay.
- They blend in a small amount of Merlot from their warmer upper Napa Valley vineyards to create a complex and balanced wine.
Varietal Composition: 100% Merlot
Elaboration: Relying on naturally-occurring yeasts during the fermentation process. This wine matures for 18 months in French oak barrels.
Tasting Notes: Bright flavors of strawberries, cherries, licorice and a hint of coffee are wrapped in a velvety texture with firm tannins and vibrant acidity on the long finish.
PRESS
2015 – 90 Wine Enthusiast
2016 – 90 Wine Enthusiast
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.