There are a fair few winemakers in Napa that can claim to have put the region on the map, but when it comes to the ultimate “mic drop” moment none can match the impact and influence that Mike Grigch had. For it was his 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay that came out top of all wines, both red and white, at the 1976 Judgement of Paris, that put the best of California head to head with the elite of Burgundy and Bordeaux. In a flash Grigch was teleported into the highest echelons of the global wine industry.
The legendary figure in Calilfornian wine - Mike Grgich
It was also what inspired him to stop making wines for other producers, and start a wine business of its own - and hence what we know as Grgich Hills Estate today was born in 1977.
Grigch Hills Estate
Over the years the producer has grown to buy land and expand its business across 366 acres, spread over five vineyards within the Napa Valley, producing grapes that go into Grgich Hills estate wines.
The five vineyards are spread across the following areas with most of its red wines coming from its northern AVAs and its white wines from the south:
- Calistoga, which consists of 35 acres, made up of eight acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, 22 acres of Zinfandel, three acres of Petite Sirah and two of Crljenak Kaštelanski. It is the Zinfandel that is the star here with three acres that are over 100 years old and home to Miljenko’s Old Vine Zinfandel.
- Rutherford: 18 acres of which 17 are Cabernet Sauvignon and one acre Petit Verdot. Here the dusty soils of the Rutherford AVA contribute to the elegance and fine tannins of the Cabernet Sauvignon. It is also home to the main Grigch Hills Estate winery.
- Yountville: 34 acres made up of 29 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, including 13 acres of the second-oldest Cabernet Sauvignon vines in Napa Valley, and five of Merlot.
- Carneros: the biggest vineyard area made up of 82 acres, including 56 acres of Chardonnay, seven acres of Merlot, three acres of Cabernet Franc, five of Sauvignon Blanc,and 11 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon. This is home for Grigch’s classic Chardonnay that benefits from the summer fog and constant cooling winds. The best blocks are used for its Paris Tasting Commemorative Chardonnay and Miljenko’s Selection Chardonnay.
- American Canyon is made up of 119 acres including eight acres of Chardonnay, 33 acres of Sauvignon Blanc, 2.4 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, 3.3 acres reserved for late harvest varietals (Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Orange Muscat). The largest and most southern of Grigch’s vineyards.
Maja Jeramaz, who is part of the third generation to look after Grgich Hills Estate and is grand niece to the late Mike Grigch and daughter of Ivo Jeramy, current winemaker and vice president vineyards and production, said the winery is gearing up for what will be its 50th anniversary in 2027.
Regenerative farming is a key feature of Grigch Hills Estate modern winemaking
One of the key calling cards of the modern wines being produced at Grgich Hills Estate is how they are the result of the roll out of regenerative farming practices that have been a key part of its winemaking since it was regenerative certified in 2022 - it has been fully organic since 2006.
Jeramaz said it is proud to be flying the “regenerative” flag in California and to see the impact it has had on the health and vibrancy of its soils and biodiversity in and around the vineyards.
“We don’t till our soils as that kills the microbes and compacts the soils which impacts water conservation,” she told a room made up of ABS Wines customers that imports and distributes its wines in the UK alongside Rutherford Hills.
It is quite common, she said, to see sheep and other animals roaming between the vines, eating cover crops and helping to fertilise and keep its soils rich and alive.
Being regenerative, she said, is the best way for its vineyards to reflect its sense of place by creating and protecting a unique ecosystem that helps produce the best quality wines it can.
It has owl boxes to help manage rodents on the estate and bird boxes to control damaging insects.
“It is the most natural way to protect and look after our vineyards,” said Jeremaz.
As well as protecting its soils and vineyards Grigch is also working hard to look after its heritage and is making a concentrated effort to hold back more wines each year to build up a strong library of aged wines. Wines that it can then look to release into the market at key times.
Rutherford Hill
The Rutherford Hill barn and visitor centre
Chuck Cramer was able to bring to life the unique qualities of Rutherford Hills wines where Merlot is the star attraction of its Bordeaux (Pomerol) inspired wines. First established in 1972 it was the first Napa winery to be acquired by Terlato Wines in 1996 and has seen major investment and improvements across all areas of its winemaking and viticulture that have driven its exports around the world.
Here the winemaking is in the hands of Stephanie Jacobs who says her mission is quite simple: "To craft remarkable, ageworthy wines, bringing pleasure and comfort to every table that’s host to a good life."
Which also pretty much sums up Cramer’s infectious approach to the wines and the Rutherford Hills story.
One of the key features of Rutherford Hills is its extensive cellar system that stretches over a mile underneath the winery - designed to keep its wines at the perfect temperature across 5,000 carefully selected French oak barrels.
Although its wines are widely regarded as amongst the best of what Napa can produce, the winemaking team is constantly looking to experiment with different yeast strains, fermentation trials, temperatures and sugar levels to see how it can improve the quality of its each of its wines.
Here the focus is very much a unique parcel approach with each plot of vines is carefully separated and vinified individually and it only uses 100% estate grown fruit.
All of which is helped by the diverse terroirs and altitudes of its vineyards that stretch from high-elevation hilltops, across the Rutherford valley floor, and up into the rolling hills in the north of Napa Valley.
The most recently planted vineyard at Rutherford Hill is its 52 acre Anthony J. Terlato Vineyard
The latest vineyard to be planted is Anthony J. Terlato Vineyard which covers 52 acres in the heart of the Rutherford AVA. Its where it sources its highest quality Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc.
The Rutherford Estate is one of the few hillside vineyards in the AVA and has mostly sandy, volcanic soil versus the loamy soils found in the valley.
The reputation of the 54 acres of Pope Valley vineyards in the north east of Napa Valley is rising and is home for Rutherford’s Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Sangiovese and Syrah.
Sustainability is also central to what Rutherford does, stresses Cramer. It also farms organically and relies and has its own solar farm to generate all the energy it needs. It has been certified by Napa Green Vineyards and Winery and the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance since 2015.
Tasting
Both producers were able to showcase their ranges by highlighting the following wines:
Rutherford Hills AJT Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Bright, crisp fresh wine that benefits from a long growing season and is made up of 83% Sauvignon Blanc and 17% Sauvignon Gris. Citrus apple notes, easy drinking style of which you don’t see a great deal in California, claimed Cramer.
Grigch Hills Fumé Blanc 2023
A 100% Sauvignon Blanc that is a more tropical style with touches of lemongrass. This late harvest wine saw grapes still being picked in early October - the latest in 40 years.
Grigch Hills Estate Chardonnay 2022
The producer’s flagship wine which shows how fresh, bright pure Chardonnays have their place in California. Previously made with no malolactic fermentation the wine has slightly changed since 2020 to introduce “a bit of malo to help round it out,” says Jeramaz. Made with 10 months of French oak ageing.
Grigch Merlot 2021
A Merlot dominant blend of four varieties compared to previous vintages that have been 100% Merlot this comes from Carneros and American Canyon fruit.
Rutherford Hills Merlot 2022
Made using 100% estate fruit from its Pope Valley and AJT Vineyard it includes 92% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon. But that blend will change every year, stressed Cramer. Lots of dry cherry fruit notes.
Grgich's Maja Jeramaz introducing the wines at a masterclass for sommeliers in London recently hosted with Rutherford Hill's Chuck Cramer and ABS Wine Agencies
Grigch Zinfandel 2020
Here the fruit comes from its Calistoga vineyards, Grigch’s hottest vineyards that benefits from hot afternoons ideal for Zinfandel growing. The fruit is picked early to help control alcohol levels below 15% ABV. Aged for 18 months in French oak barrels.
Grigch Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
This is a blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc from its Yountville, Rutherford and Calistoga vineyards which varies vintage to vintage. Aged for 20 months in French oak it is a full bodied, elegant Cabernet Sauvignon.
Rutherford Hills AJT Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
A single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from its AJT Vineyard with only 5,000 cases produced every year. Lots of dark chocolate, blackberry fruit with 40% aged in French oak.
Federalist Wines
Cramer was also able to show some of the recently relaunched Federalist Wines from Terlato Wines - its biggest exported wine range - with the previous imagery featuring America’s founding fathers presidents replaced by the iconic American eagle.
The wines included
Federalist Chardonnay 2023 from Central AVA which has all the lovely buttery notes you associate with the best Californian Chardonnays.
Federalist Zinfandel 2023.
This 100% Zinfandel comes from 62 year old vines in the Lodi Valley using both French (60%) and US (40%) oak. Classic BBQ fruit forward wine.
* You can find our more about Grigch Hills Estate here.
* You can find our more about Rutherford Hill here.
* You can find out more about ABS Wine Agencies here.
