Napa Valley and its wines are so successful—and have been for decades—that it’s easy to forget how far the area has come from the 1960’s and 1970’s. There are very few Napa wineries which have been around for 40 years. Grgich Hills is among the proud few. Mike Grgich founded the winery after working at a handful of Napa Valley’s icons.

He started in the valley at Souverain Winery which, under Lee Stewart, was then one of the best and most progressive wineries in the state. Grgich moved on to the historic Christian Brothers winery for a season and then spent nine years at Beaulieu Vineyard working for André Tchelistcheff, arguably the most important winemaker in Napa Valley history. In 1968, Grgich became chief enologist at Robert Mondavi Winery which was driving innovation and quality to produce wines that could be considered among the best in the world.

In 1972, Grgich headed to Chateau Montelena. There, he made the Chardonnay which won the famous Judgement of Paris in 1976. After that success, he teamed up with Austin Hills (Hills Bros. Coffee and Hills Vineyards) to establish Grgich-Hills Estate in Rutherford in 1977.

Ivo Jeramaz, Grgich Hills Estate’s VP of vineyards and production

The wines of Grgich-Hills Estate have been extremely consistent in style and quality over the years. Its Chardonnay, made by Ivo Jeramaz who has been at Grgich-Hills for 30 years, is still crafted with with the aim of balancing full flavor with lively acidity. The wines are vibrant and rewarding upon release, but also after a decade or more of cellaring. The wines below are made from organic, dry-farmed estate vineyard fruit and fermented with native yeast.

2014 Grgich Hills Estate Chardonnay 40th Anniversary Napa Valley 92 14.1% 750ml $55

An excellent example of Grgich Hills’ very fresh, age-worthy approach to Chardonnay. The nose offers classy aromas of tangy, golden apple, toast, pear, baking spice and light caramel. Fruit and minerality are deftly balanced on the lively, supremely juicy palate. Body is medium+ with flavors of mineral, green apple, pear, spice, lemon and just ripe stone fruit. Drink now through 2024+

2014 Grgich Hills Estate Chardonnay Paris Tasting Commemorative Napa Valley 93 14.1% 750ml $94

Less than 1,000 cases were made of this 100% Chardonnay, best-barrel selection. While the oak regime is the same as for the 2014 Grgich Hills Estate Chardonnay 40th Anniversary, a very high percentage of this Paris Tasting Commemorative comes from a particular Carneros vineyard block that features 28-year old Wente clone vines which yield especially concentrated fruit.

Light lemon in color with medium-plus body with an expressive nose of yellow and green apple, lees, yogurt, spice and a dash of brown butter. The palate is nuanced and features great tension, a teeter-totter of acidity and creaminess. The extremely long-lasting flavors include tart peach, green apple, lemon, lime sherbet, toast, cream, cinnamon and nutmeg. Enjoy now through 2027+.

You may also enjoy these past articles about Grgich Hills:

Two Grgich Hills Cabernet Sauvignon & Four Other New Releases

Vertical Tasting: Grgich-Hills Cabernet Sauvignon Yountville Selection

Copyright Fred Swan 2017. Photos courtesy of Grgich-Hills Estate. All rights reserved.