Grgich Hills Estate Violetta Late Harvest
WHY WE LOVE IT
- Grgich Hills’ classically-produced late harvest wine is the result of Botrytis cinerea, a beneficial mold that evaporates moisture while concentrating the flavor in the berry but yielding very little juice when the grapes are pressed.
- The grapes were grown at their estate vineyard in American Canyon, which is certified organic.
- Carefully planting vines in the lowest spot of this cool vineyard, has created the perfect conditions to capture the low-lying fog needed to grow botrytis- affected grapes.
- The unpredictable nature of botrytis requires a tremendous amount of time to produce this wine, including several passes to pick individual clusters as they become cloaked in the mold that creates this unique richness and flavors in wine.
Varietal Composition: Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Gewurztraminer
Elaboration: Fermented (with indigenous yeast) the thick, rich juice and then aged the wine for 14 months in French oak to develop its subtle flavors and textures.
Tasting Notes: Rich aromas of ripe pear, Mandarin orange and honeysuckle lead to a lingering, harmonious finish.
PRESS
n/a
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.