2023 Napa Valley Fumé Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc

Our Napa Valley wines are our most popular. These complex blends represent the best from our five estate vineyards.

At Grgich Hills Estate, Mike continued to make this elevated style of Sauvignon Blanc, paying homage to his former employer and friend. This Sauvignon Blanc opens with great aromatic complexity as the scents of key lime, verbena, and honeysuckle mingle on the nose. The taste is defined by fresh citrus flavors and bright acidity, as well as mineral and herbaceous undertones that are characteristic of the Fumé Blanc style. The finish is juicy, mouth-watering and long-lasting, enticing you to enjoy sip after sip.

The Wine Vintage Vineyard Technical Specifications

The Wine

About The Wine

In 1968, Miljenko “Mike” Grgich went to work for Robert Mondavi as chief enologist, making the inaugural release of “Fumé Blanc.” This elegant, dry style of oak-aged Sauvignon Blanc was named “Fumé Blanc” by Robert Mondavi, playing on the French word meaning smoke. At Grgich Hills Estate, Mike continued to make this elevated style of Sauvignon Blanc, paying homage to his former employer and friend. Striking aromas of fresh lime, verbena, and gooseberry are followed by a juicy, aromatic front palate with bright acidity that wakes up your taste buds. The heightened aromatics develop even greater complexity on the mid-palate, featuring fresh lemon and star fruit, with just a hint of green apple and mango. Gorgeous structural precision leads to a long and chiseled finish with lasting minerality.

Vintage

About The Vintage

The winter months of the 2023 vintage brought the relief of heavy rains after three consecutive drought years, with precipitation up to 50% above Napa Valley averages. An unusually cool spring delayed budbreak, and was followed by a moderately warm summer with no dramatic heat spikes, allowing the grapes to ripen beautifully. 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 Vineyards

We grow Sauvignon Blanc grapes in our American Canyon and Carneros vineyards in the southern tip of Napa Valley, near San Francisco Bay. The clay soils retain water, allowing us to dry farm, and the coolness slows ripening and retains acidity. The grapes develop a crisp liveliness that is impossible to achieve in warmer areas. About 80% of our Sauvignon Blanc is planted to the Musqué clone, which provides elegant floral aromatics. All our vineyards are certified regenerative organic, ensuring that all of our grapes are of the highest quality, and that we are responsible stewards of our environment.