Grgich Hills Estate Chardonnay

Grgich Hills Estate is known as a benchmark Napa Valley wine estate, consistently producing wines of the highest quality. Miljenko "Mike" Grgich first became known worldwide when the Chardonnay he crafted outscored the best of France and revolutionised the wine world. The tasting shattered the myth that only French soil could produce world class wine and it energised the Napa Valley wine industry.

On Independence Day, July 4th 1977, Mike and Austin Hills of Hills Bros. coffee family, broke ground in Rutherford to build Grgich Hills Cellar.

Committed to natural winegrowing and sustainability, they farm five estate vineyards without artificial chemicals, rely on wild yeast fermentation and use passion and art to handcraft food-friendly, balanced and elegant wines. The winery converted to solar power in 2006 and is completely estate grown, changing its name too Grgich Hills Estate in 2007 in recognition of this significant accomplishment.

The winery remains family owned and operated with Mike assisted by his daughter Violet Grgich, Vice President of Operations and his nephew, Ivo Jeramaz, Vice President of Vineyards and Production.

The Chardonnay vines thrive in the American Canyon and Carneros vineyards in the southern tip of the Napa Valley, near San Pablo Bay, which spills into the San Francisco Bay. The cool maritime breezes and morning fog allow the grapes to slowly ripen too develop complex flavours whilst maintaining a pleasing natural acidity that is impossible to achieve in warmer areas.

It was fermented and aged 10 months in French oak, 60% neutral barrels, 40% new barrels.