Team & Family

People are at the heart
of what we do.

A hand gripping the gnarled, old-growth wood on a grapevine.

Violet Grgich, President and CEO of Grgich Hills Estate, standing in the vineyards of her Napa Valley Winery.

Violet Grgich, President & CEO

“My dad insisted that in order to lead the winery I needed to work at every single position, starting at the bottom.”

President & CEO

Violet Grgich

Having attended the University of California, Davis, Violet earned a BA in music while taking classes in biology, chemistry, and enology. After graduation, she returned home to Grgich Hills to continue her education in the wine business, learning about daily operations of the winery by being involved with every aspect of the business. She has done everything from bottling line work to laboratory analysis and working in the tasting room. “My dad insisted that in order to lead the winery I needed to work at every single position, starting at the bottom.” She received her Master of Music in harpsichord at Indiana University, and then joined the winery fulltime in 1988.

As a first-generation American and the daughter of Croatian immigrants, Violet leads with unwavering principles: diversity, inclusivity, honesty, and integrity – with the goal of forging a path for modern wineries to be both environmentally and socially responsible. Under her leadership, Grgich Hills Estate has embraced regenerative farming principles, earning the rigorous Regenerative Organic Certification.

Violet carries forward the legacy of her father, world-renowned winemaker Miljenko “Mike” Grgich, and mother, esteemed philanthropist Tatjana Grgich. her deep commitment to crafting world-class wines and using her knowledge and passion to better the world.

Ivo Jeramaz, Winemaker and VP of Vineyards and Production at Grgich Hills Estate, enjoying the day out in one of the Regenerative Organic Certified vineyards he manages.

Ivo Jeramaz, Winemaker & VP of Vineyards and Production

Ivo Jeramaz was born into a Croatian family of grape growers and from an early age assisted in making wine as a familial pursuit.

Winemaker & VP of Vineyards and Production

Ivo Jeramaz

Ivo Jeramaz was born into a Croatian family of grape growers and from an early age assisted in making wine as a familial pursuit. As a young man, he attended the University of Zagreb where he earned a master of science degree in engineering.

In 1986, Ivo came to the United States with the help of his uncle, Miljenko “Mike” Grgich. Ivo was so fascinated with the wine industry, especially set against the scenic beauty of the Napa Valley, that he decided on a career change – diving wholeheartedly into both personal study under the tutelage of his uncle, and a number of enology and viticulture classes at UC Davis.

His experience in winemaking now spans nearly four decades, and as the principal winemaker, Ivo has ushered Grgich Hills Estate into the future as an industry leader in regenerative farming and organic winemaking. Today, he fosters a passion akin to his own both within our vineyard and cellar teams, and at home, bringing his daughter Maja and his sons, Luke and Jake into the fold, exploring all facets of the industry, including, marketing, sales, and vineyard management.

Austin Hills standing outside the Grgich Hills Estate winery next to the vineyards in Rutherford, California.

Austin Hills, Co-Founder

As a young man, Austin, a member of the Hills Bros. Coffee Company family, pursued business, receiving his B.A. degree from Stanford University and his M.B.A. from Columbia University.

Co-Founder

Austin Hills

As a young man, Austin, a member of the Hills Bros. coffee company family, pursued business, receiving his B.A. degree from Stanford University and his M.B.A. from Columbia University. He began working at Hills Bros. Coffee, Inc., eventually serving as Vice President and finally, Chairman of the Board.

The family chose to sell the business in the early 1970s, and Austin embarked on a new pursuit: In 1975, Austin founded Hills Vineyards and developed his own label. After the Judgement of Paris in 1976, Austin came to Mike Grgich with a dream to produce world-class wines. Mike had extensive winemaking and management experience and, now, the reputation as the American winemaker who beat the French. The two men were a perfect match. Mike joined forces with Austin and his sister Mary Lee to found Grgich Hills in 1977.

Today, Austin is Chairman of the Board of Grgich Hills Estate. Aside from his involvement with wine, Austin is president of Hills Vineyard, which grows and distributes Dos Colinas olive oil. He is also an active member of San Francisco society, serving on a wide variety of boards that demonstrate his eclectic range of interests, including Hills Capital Management, The Asian Art Museum, and The Leakey Foundation.

Sebastian Erggelet, Winemaker

Sebastian Erggelet

After tenures working at OVID Napa Valley and Martin Estates, Sebastian found his way to Grgich Hills in 2018, first as Associate Winemaker and most recently as Winemaker. Sebastian loves the long-term approach Grgich Hills takes to winemaking, which, while rare in Napa Valley, is reminiscent of the old-world European style that he grew up with.

Mariko Hachiya, Managing Director

Mariko Hachiya

Mariko Hachiya joined Grgich Hills Estate after two decades in the restaurant industry and in fine wine retail. Her experience as a restaurant manager, national wine director, and overseeing retail wine sales and e-commerce wine programs have helped her approach sales from a reimagined perspective – different than others in the industry. When not directing the team at the winery, Mariko is most likely found being directed by the true boss: her 4 year old daughter. If she’s lucky, she’s got a glass of champagne in her hand.

Elizabeth Barnard, Director of Global Sales

Elizabeth Barnard

A graduate of Stanford University, Elizabeth’s passion for wine was ignited at an early age through her mother’s wine distributorship in Indiana, which represented iconic wineries, including Grgich Hills Estate. After establishing herself in the tech industry in Silicon Valley, Elizabeth served as Vice President of National Sales and Marketing at Klinker Brick Winery before her lifelong connection to the Grgich Hills beckoned her to join us as Director of Global Sales.

Maja Jeramaz, Manager, Export and CA Chains

Maja Jeramaz

Maja Jeramaz, eldest child of Ivo Jeramaz, joined the sales team at Grgich Hills Estate after graduating from UC Santa Cruz in 2015. Quickly developing a reputation for her in-depth knowledge and engaging tours at the winery, Maja transitioned into Export, and is now the Export and California Chains Manager, selling Grgich Hills wine around the world. Working in export has given Maja a deep appreciation for the role wine plays in connecting people across different cultures and countries. She is very proud to be part of a multi-generational family winery that continues to blend tradition with innovation.

Photo by Tom Zimberoff

“Every day, do your best, learn something new, and make a friend.”

–Miljenko “Mike” Grgich, cofounder

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Introducing: The 2021 Paradise Block Old Vine Cabernet Sauvignon

Team & Family

People are at the heart
of what we do.

Violet Grgich, President & CEO

Ivo Jeramaz, Winemaker & VP of Vineyards and Production

Austin Hills, Co-Founder

Sebastian Erggelet, Winemaker

Mariko Hachiya, Managing Director

Elizabeth Barnard, Director of Global Sales

Maja Jeramaz, Manager, Export and CA Chains

“Every day, do your best, learn something new, and make a friend.”

Team & Family

People are at the heart of what we do.

Violet Grgich, President & CEO

Ivo Jeramaz, Winemaker & VP of Vineyards and Production

Austin Hills, Co-Founder

Sebastian Erggelet, Winemaker

Mariko Hachiya, Managing Director

Elizabeth Barnard, Director of Global Sales

Maja Jeramaz, Manager, Export and CA Chains

“Every day, do your best, learn something new, and make a friend.”

People are at the heart
of what we do.