Grgich Hills Estate Tasting Event with Winemaker Ivo Jeramaz
- Posted on
- By Tim Graham
- Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, California, chardonnay, Grgich Hills, Merlot, napa valley, Yountville, Zinfandel
Join us on Wednesday, January 14th in The Loft for our first tasting of the year with Napa Valley stalwart Grgich Hills Estate and winemaker Ivo Jeramaz. This wine tasting will be both a look at the past with a focus on Grgich Hill's history in Napa Valley and a look to the future with the winery's focus on regenerative farming and sustainable culture. This is a limited seating event, so grab your tickets now.
The Grgich Hills Estate
As a family-owned and operated winery, Grgich Hills Estate is committed to crafting wines of the highest standard and consistency. Their dedication to these principles has led to the achievement of Regenerative Organic Certification for all five of their estate vineyards in December 2022. This system prioritizes the long-term health and longevity of their vines, revitalizes the land, and allows for the creation of wines that are unmatched in their quality and expression of terroir.
It is with a spirit of curiosity, discovery, and excellence that Miljenko “Mike” Grgich and partner Austin Hills founded Grgich Hills Estate in 1977, after Mike’s Chateau Montelena Chardonnay won the famed 1976 Paris Tasting. These values propel Grgich Hills Estate forward as they continue to make exquisite wines, while pioneering a sustainable future for Napa Valley.
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. 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.
The Grgich Hills Wine Lineup
Grgich Hills Estate Napa Valley Chardonnay - Crafted from grapes that are farmed in old-world techniques, our Chardonnay did not undergo malolactic fermentation, preserving its wonderful acidity. We then age it primarily in neutral French barrels to create a balanced and food-friendly wine. This refreshing and elegant wine is the perfect antidote to the oaky, buttery style of Chardonnays.
Grgich Hills Estate Paris Tasting Commemorative Chardonnay - For this wine, Ivo selects only the best grapes, which are primarily from the oldest block of Chardonnay, the Old Wente clone planted in 1989. Through a combination of clone, age and cool climate, this single block estate vineyard in the chilly Carneros region of Napa Valley creates wonderfully rich flavors, balanced with crisp acidity.
Grgich Hills Estate Napa Valley Zinfandel - This 34-acre vineyard, which is located above Calistoga, is the warmest of Grgich's five vineyards and is the sole source of their Zinfandel. Its northeast exposure catches plenty of morning sun but is shaded from the hot late afternoon sun and combined with the vineyard’s gravelly loam soil creates the perfect spot to grow this varietal. This Zinfandel is light bodied, but rich, reminiscent of an Old World Pinot Noir.
Grgich Hills Estate Napa Valley Merlot - This Merlot grows both in Grgich's cooler American Canyon and Carneros vineyards and in their warmer Yountville vineyard. Ivo blended Merlot from all three vineyards to create a balanced, robust wine that combines the richness and depth from the warmer climates and perfume and bright fruitiness from the cooler climates.
Grgich Hills Estate Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon - The winery's Yountville vineyard forms the heart of their Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, with grapes from both the Rutherford and Calistoga vineyards rounding out the blend. The result is a full-bodied, elegant Cabernet Sauvignon with pure flavors and a pronounced sense of place.
Grgich Hills Estate Yountville Old Vine Cabernet Sauvignon - Grgich Hills is proud proud to be the custodians of the second oldest Cabernet Sauvignon vines in Napa Valley: a block in their Yountville vineyard of the Inglenook clone, planted on St. George rootstock in 1959, producing a refined and complex wine.
The Details
Grgich Hills Estate Tasting Event with Winemaker Ivo Jeramaz
Date: Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Time: 7 PM
Price: $130 per guest
Space: Extremely Limited
An evening of elegance, education, and the enduring spirit of Napa Valley.
Seating is extremely limited, secure your place for this unforgettable tasting experience
