Timeline
Explore the growing legacy of Grgich Hills Estate.
1970s
1976
The Paris Tasting
The 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay, crafted by Mike Grgich, takes first place at the famed “Paris Tasting”, beating France’s best white Burgundies.
1977
Groundbreaking
Mike and Austin Hills break ground on July 4, 1977, for their new winery in Rutherford, in the heart of Napa Valley.
1980s
1980
The Great Chicago Showdown
In a blind tasting of 221 Chardonnays at the Great Chicago Showdown, the 1977 Grgich Hills Chardonnay is proclaimed the best Chardonnay available in Chicago.
1981
1979 Chardonnay at White House Dinner
The Grgich Hills’ 1979 Chardonnay is served at a White House dinner for King Juan Carlos of Spain.
1983
Chardonnay For the Queen
Queen Elizabeth II is served the 1978 Grgich Hills Chardonnay at the home of Stanford University President Donald Kennedy.
1984
Grgich Hills Expands Vineyards into Yountville Appellation
From the first time Mike Grgich laid eyes on our historic Yountville vineyard in 1958, he knew that the quality of grapes produced there would be phenomenal due to its ideal sun exposure and excellent drainage. Twenty five of the 63 acres that comprise this property consist of Cabernet Sauvignon planted in 1959.
1988
1984 Zinfandel Wins a Gold Medal
The 1984 Grgich Hills Zinfandel wins a Gold Medal and is named Best California Zinfandel and Best American Zinfandel.
1989
Grgich Hills Expands Vineyards into Los Carneros Appellation
Mike Grgich firmly believed in the value of owning your own vineyards as a way to ensure quality. The diversity of soils and climates throughout the Napa Valley means that each area is uniquely suited to growing different grape varietals. Mike acquires 88 acres in Los Carneros for its cooler average temperatures and shallow, dense soil that made it ideal for growing Chardonnay.
1990s
1992
Grgich Hills Named Winery Of the Year
Wine & Spirits magazine names Grgich Hills as Winery of the Year for wineries producing 40,000 cases or more. Mike Grgich appears on the cover of Wine Spectator magazine, “California’s Old World Master-Few Can Challenge Mike Grgich in crafting World-Class Wine.”
1994
Best Zinfandel, Worldwide
The 1989 Grgich Hills Zinfandel receives the Zinfandel trophy and is named “Best Zinfandel, Worldwide” at the International Wine & Spirit Competition in London, England.
1996
Founding of Grgic Vina
At the request of newly-elected Croatian President Tudman, Mike Grgich works with his daughter Violet and grandnephew Ivo to establish a winery on the Peljesac Peninsula of Croatia – only a short distance from Mike’s birthplace of Desne.
1996
Grgich Hills Expands Vineyards into American Canyon
With the success of the Carneros vineyard in growing Chardonnay, Mike is eager to acquire more land in the cooler, southern region of Napa to expand the production of our most well-known varietal. The acquisition of our American Canyon property added 164 acres to our operation, making it our largest vineyard.
1997
Release of Wine Spectator Awarded 1994 Violetta
The inaugural release of late harvest Violetta (named after Mike’s daughter, Violet) is the 1994 vintage. The Wine Spectator awards it 95 points.
1997
Gold Medal, Trophy and Winery Of the Year
The 1994 Grgich Hills Zinfandel receives a Gold Medal plus the Zinfandel trophy as “Best Zinfandel, Worldwide” at the International Wine & Spirit Competition in London, England. Wine & Spirits magazine selects Grgich Hills as Winery of the Year (multisource category).
1997
Grgich Hills Expands Vineyards into Calistoga Appellation
The addition of our 34-acre Calistoga vineyard marks our fifth and final vineyard acquisition. The long, sunny days and reddish, gravelly soil make for a perfect place to grow sun-loving Zinfandel, 3 acres of which were planted in 1889.
2000s
2000
Grgich Goes Organic
Grgich Hills plants Cabernet Sauvignon in the vineyard surrounding the winery. All Grgich Hills vineyards will become certified organic by 2006.
2001
Origins of Zinfandel
Confirming theories Mike Grgich had upon his arrival to California, researchers prove that the origins of Zinfandel lie in Mike’s homeland of Croatia.
2002
Listed Amongst Top 10 Chardonnays
1999 Grgich Hills Chardonnay receives 94 points and is named one of the “Top 10 Chardonnays” in Wine & Spirits magazine.
2006
Grgich Goes Solar
Winery switches to solar power, installing 860 photovoltaic panels that produce up to 142 kilowatts.
2007
Estate Grown
With 366 acres spread across five vineyards throughout Napa Valley, Grgich Hills is able to use exclusively our own grapes in the production of wine. Our name is changed to “Grgich Hills Estate” to reflect that we are 100% estate grown.
2007
Winery Of The Year
Wine & Spirits magazine names Grgich Hills Estate one of its wineries of the year.
2010s
2012
Crljenak is Planted in Calistoga
Years after Mike’s hunch on the Croatian origins of Zinfandel are proven to be correct, Grgich Hills receives a single Crljenak Kastelanski cutting, taken from one of the last nine Crljenak plants in existence. It is planted and comes to thrive in our Calistoga Vineyard.
2012
Smithsonian Exhibit
Mike Grgich is represented in the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, when it opens its first major exhibition on food history. The exhibition contains the 1973 bottle of Chateau Montelena Chardonnay that won in the Paris Tasting, as well as Mike’s suitcase, 10 of his winemaking books, and his signature beret.
2016
A Glass Full Of Miracles
Miljenko “Mike” Grgich releases his long-awaited autobiography, A Glass Full Of Miracles.
2017
Grgich Hills 40th Anniversary
To celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the winery, Grgich Hills released the exclusive 40th Anniversary Chardonnay from the 2014 vintage.
2019
Violet Grgich Named President of Grgich Hills Estate
At 94 years of age, Mike Grgich retires as president and passes on the title to his daughter, Violet. He remains active in winery operations as an advisor and winemaker emeritus.
2020s
2023
March - Grgich Hills Attains Regenerative Organic Certification
Continuing in the tradition of natural farming that Grgich Hills has always believed in, Regenerative Organic farming began to be implemented in our vineyards in 2019, with certification by the Regenerative Organic Alliance attained in 2023.
2023
April - Miljenko “Mike” Grgich celebrates his 100th Birthday
On April 1st, Mike Grgich reaches centenarian status, and the winery celebrates with the release of two “Centennial Wines;” the 2020 Paris Tasting Commemorative Chardonnay, and the 2019 Old Vine Cabernet Sauvignon.
2023
December - Saying Goodbye to a Founder
After an incredible career and enduring legacy in the wine world, Mike Grgich passes away at age 100.
2024
Awarded for Wine, Leadership, and Regenerative Practice
Grgich Hills Estate’s 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley ranked the best Sauvignon Blanc in the world in Wine Enthusiast’s Top 100 Wines of 2024.
Grgich Hills Estate named a winner of Great Wine Capitals Sustainable Wine Tourism Award.
Violet Grgich is recognized in the North Bay Business Journal’s Women in Wine Awards, receiving the Impactful Leader Award for positively transforming her field and driving meaningful change.
2025
Our Relationship with the Smithsonian Grows
Violet Grgich appointed to the Smithsonian’s Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Advisory Council.
Photo by Tom Zimberoff
“Every day, do your best, learn something new, and make a friend.”
Miljenko “Mike” Grgich, cofounder
