Grgich Hills Estate

Infobox Winery
winery_name = Grgich Hills Estate
winery_
location_city = Rutherford, California
location_country = USA
appellation = Rutherford AVA
former_name =
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year_founded = 1977
first_vintage =
key_people = Mike Grgich, Winemaker, Proprietor/President & CEO
Ivo Jeramaz, Vice President of Vineyards and Production,
Violet Grgich, Co-Proprietor/VP Operations, Sales & Marketing
parent_company =
cases_per_year =
signature_wine = Grgich Hills Chardonnay
varietal1 = Chardonnay
varietal2 = Zinfandel
varietal3 = Sauvignon Blanc
varietal4 = Cabernet Sauvignon
varietal5 = Merlot
varietal6 =
varietal7 =
varietal8 =
varietal9 =
varietal10 =
other_product1=
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homepage= http://www.grgich.com/
distribution International
tasting= Open to the public

Grgich Hills Estate (formerly Grgich Hills Cellar) is a winery located in Rutherford, California in the heart of the Napa Valley. The winery changed its name in 2006 when it first began producing only "estate grown" wines made from grapes grown exclusively in vineyards owned by the winery. The Napa Valley Wine Train has a passenger stop located at Grgich Hills Estate. Grgich Hills' vineyards are certified organic and Biodynamic and it converted to solar energy in 2006.

History

The colors in the winery's first sign reflect the winery was born on July 4, 1977.Winemaker Mike Grgich had gained international recognition at the historic Paris Wine Tasting of 1976 when the Chardonnay he produced at Chateau Montelena won first prize among white wines.Taber, George M. "Judgment of Paris: California vs. France and the Historic 1976 Paris Tasting that revolutionized Wine". NY: Scribner, 2005.] Grgich and Austin Hills (of Hills Brothers Coffee) soon became business partners and established Grgich Hills Cellar on July 4, 1977.Fact|date=April 2008 The name "Grgich Hills" does not describe a geographical feature but is instead a combination of the names of the winery's founders.

Wines

Wine connoisseurs recognize Grgich Hills Chardonnay as being among the best in the world. The winery's very first vintage was selected the winner of the 221-entry Great Chardonnay Showdown held in 1980.Fact|date=April 2008 From almost the first day it was available, Grgich Hills Chardonnay was sold on allocation, with customers being restricted to no more than three cases each per year. It took 15 years for production to satisfy demand and permit dropping the allocation system.Fact|date=April 2008 While known for its Chardonnay, Grgich Hills also produces Fume Blanc, Merlot, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon Blanc and a propriety late harvest dessert wine called Violetta.

References

External links