This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon demonstrates the distinctive finesse and bright flavors of the famed “Rutherford Dust.” To capture the fruit’s wonderful aromas and structure, we fermented the grapes with indigenous yeast at moderate temperatures that allow the wine to gain flavors and color from extended skin contact. After blending, the wine spent another year and a half in barrel to completely harmonize the flavors before bottling. The wine has delightful aromas of black cherry, ripe plum and red roses that are complemented by hints of cinnamon. Pair with roasted lamb, top sirloin or Cabernet-laced beef stew.
Vintage
About The Vintage
The growing season started out with unseasonably warm temperatures in the late winter and early spring, triggering early bud break. Colder temperatures in May slowed grape development which, coupled with the fourth year of drought, resulted in a smaller crop in 2015. The harvest was one of our earliest in memory with the berries smaller than usual, but packed with flavor and color.
Vineyard
About The Vineyard
These grapes were grown at Austin’s Vineyard, home to our winery in the heart of Rutherford’s viticultural area, one of the world’s preeminent sites for Cabernet Sauvignon. Its loamy soils and sunny, warm days create an elegant wine with red fruit flavors and smooth tannins. We farm our vineyards naturally, and they are certified organic.
Technical Specifications
Alcohol 14.5% by volume
Fermentation Indigenous yeast; 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.
