winery

Grgich Hills Estate

Napa Valley, United States

Philosophy

Native yeast fermentation with minimal sulfites; no added enzymes or lab-cultured yeasts. Estate-grown fruit expresses terroir through restrained cellar work. Chardonnay from cool-climate vineyards of American Canyon and Carneros delivers bright acidity without malolactic fermentation—elegant, food-driven wines that age with distinction.

Reputation

Founded in 1977 by Miljenko 'Mike' Grgich, Croatian immigrant and renowned winemaker, and Austin Hills of the Hills Bros. Coffee family, Grgich Hills Estate emerged from the vindication of the 1976 Judgment of Paris. The winery they built played a pivotal role in redefining winemaking in California, significantly contributing to the emergence of Napa Valley as a world-renowned wine region.

AllocationMike Grgich died December 13, 2023, at age 100; succession confirmed complete to daughter Violet Grgich as President, with Ivo Jeramaz (nephew) as VP Vineyards & Production. Family ownership split equally between Grgich and Hills families continues. Production volume calculated at 65,000–70,000 cases annually (source: Napa Wine Project); conversion to bottle count uses 12 × 750ml per case. CCOF certification attained 2006; Regenerative Organic Certification achieved December 2022. Vineyard holdings: 366 acres total (148 hectares) across five sites. No UK or Japan importers specifically identified in search results; domestic distribution verified through multi-state distributor network. Winemaking signature draws directly from current practices emphasized by Ivo Jeramaz and contemporary sources (native yeast, minimal sulfites, no additives) rather than inferred from wines themselves. | Importer overflow captured (importer_us): 'Distributed nationally through state-by-state distributors (see distributor network list)'

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