Opening aromas of cranberry, red cherry, and ripe plum are layered with hints of blackberry, cracked black pepper, tobacco leaf and dried herbs. The palate bursts with bright red fruit and blood orange with a lively acidity and exceptional freshness laying underneath. Subtle layers of spice, savory herbs, and earthy notes add complexity, while fine, well-integrated tannins carry through to a long, vibrant, and lingering finish.
Vintage
About The Vintage
Relief of heavy rains came after three consecutive drought years that brought precipitation up to 50% above Napa Valley averages. An unusually cool spring delayed budbreak, followed by a moderately warm summer with no dramatic heat spikes. Harvest began in earnest by mid-September and carried on through the first of November, making this one of the longest growing seasons in the Grgich Hills Estate record.
Vineyard
About The Vineyard
2 acres of Miljenko's Vineyard are planted with Crljenak Kaštelanski. The vines thrive with the vineyard's northeast exposure, and, combined with the area’s gravelly loam soil, we’ve found that Calistoga is the perfect spot to grow this varietal. All of our vineyards attained Regenerative Organic Certification in 2022; a reflection of our earnest commitment to environmental consciousness.
Technical Specifications
Alcohol 14.5% by volume
Fermentation indigenous yeast; 2-3 weeks of skin contact
Upon founding Grgich Hills, it was of utmost importance that both Mike Grgich and Austin Hills were equally represented on the winery’s label. Mike chose to represent his Croatian heritage by including the Croatian Coat of Arms, a red and white checkered shield, which also appears on Croatia’s national flag. The winery’s Croatian roots are celebrated with an annual festival, Croatian wines and menu items, and ties to Grgich Hill’s sister winery, Grgic Vina, located on Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast.
Hills Family Crest
Upon founding Grgich Hills, it was of utmost importance that both Mike Grgich and Austin Hills were equally represented on the winery’s label. Austin Hills chose to represent the Hills family with an element of the family crest, a rearing horse holding a baton. For generations, the Hills family were known in San Francisco for their thriving coffee business, Hills Brothers Coffee Co., and the Hills horse appearing on the winery’s label marked a new venture in the Hills legacy.
