Our EDW Alumni Masterclasses are always a highlight, bringing together curious minds, passionate wine lovers, and the producers who shape the world’s most inspiring bottles. This session was no exception. We were joined by Ivo Jeramaz, Winemaker and VP of Vineyards & Production at Grgich Hills Estate, for a deep dive into the history, philosophy, and wines that helped put Napa Valley on the global map.
What followed was an engaging and educational exploration of the estate’s roots, regenerative farming practices, and five benchmark wines — all delivered with Ivo’s characteristic warmth and humility.
History
Ivo began by introducing us to the estate and its remarkable family story. His late uncle, Mike Grgich, was born in the former Yugoslavia and opposed the communist regime. Encouraged by his teacher — who described Napa Valley as a “paradise” — Mike made the bold decision to emigrate. He arrived in 1958 and soon worked at some of the most influential Napa wineries, including Robert Mondavi and Château Montelena. It was during his time at the latter that, as Ivo described it, “a miracle happened.”
The now-legendary 1976 Judgement of Paris, organised by Steven Spurrier, set out to compare top French wines with those from California. Napa Chardonnay and Cabernet unexpectedly triumphed, shifting global recognition toward the region. Inspired by this success, Mike partnered with Austin Hills to establish Grgich Hills, breaking ground on 4 July 1977 in Rutherford. Building the winery slowly and deliberately — often while still making wine for other estates — Mike invested carefully, sourcing only the best grapes and saving every penny. By 2003, Grgich Hills had grown into a fully-fledged estate with its own vineyard holdings.
Ivo’s Journey
Ivo was born in Croatia and came to California in 1986 with Mike’s help. Although he initially studied chemical 
engineering, he quickly realised his passion lay in the vineyards. “It took me two weeks to forget engineering,” he shared with a smile. Having grown up eating only what his family farmed organically, the philosophy of working closely with nature came naturally to him. Today, his passion for organic, biodynamic, and regenerative farming shapes the direction of Grgich Hills and continues the legacy Mike began.
Philosophy of the Estate
Grgich Hills champions a philosophy of minimal intervention and maximum authenticity. All vineyards are certified organic and follow regenerative practices. Under Ivo’s leadership, the estate made a decisive shift in 1996 away from routine vineyard spraying, transitioning to organic and biodynamic farming and earning CCOF certification. In 2019, they began adopting regenerative farming principles and are now fully ROC (Regenerative Organic Certified), with biodiversity supported through cover crops, flowering rows, and sheep grazing.
The Wines
- Grgich Hills Estate sauvignon Blanc, Fume Blanc 2021, Napa Valley
100% Sauvignon Blanc grapes grown in south Napa in Carneros. The proximity to San Francisco Bay makes the area 6-7 degrees cooler which contributes to the elevated acidity in the wine. The proximity to the Pacific Ocean allows for cooler temperatures and assists in protecting the area from the effects of global warming. Grape harvest takes place at night to preserve freshness and protect from microbial spoilage. In the winery only indigenous yeast is used to promote terroir identity and allows a differentiation in the wines year by year. Fermentation takes place in 5000lt Foudre. Wine remains on lees for 6 months in neutral Foudre.
Pale lemon, medium + intensity, citrus lemon, lime, butter, gooseberry, melon, white peach, vanilla, cumin spice, hints of white pepper, green bell pepper, flint. On the palate it is dry, medium+ acidity, medium alcohol medium+ body (more of a textural body), medium+ flavour intensity, creamy texture with smooth mouthfeel, long finish, outstanding quality due to its exceptional balance between the broad aromatics, their intensity and the wine’s acidity, the oak is subtle and gives dimension and depth of flavour and the long finish brings everything together harmoniously.
- Grgich Hills Estate Chardonnay 2022, Napa Valley
The Chardonnay grapes are also grown in the American Canyon and Carneros vineyards and benefit from the cooler, maritime breezes and morning fog that allow slow ripening of the grapes and the development of complex flavours.
Fermented and aged 10 months in 80% barrels and 20% Foudre. The barrels are French oak 40% new and 60% neutral.
Pale lemon, pronounced intensity, ripe peach, apricot, ripe pineapple, blossom, honeysuckle hints of brioche, cream, caramel & vanilla, hints of toast. Dry, medium+ acidity, high but well integrated alcohol, full body, medium+ flavour intensity, creamy with long finish. Outstanding.
- Grgich Hills Estate Merlot, 2020, Napa Valley
The Merlot grows both in the cooler American Canyon and Carneros vineyards and in the warmer Yountville vineyard. It is blended from all three vineyards to create a balanced, complex wine that combines the richness and depth from the warmer climates and perfume and bright fruitiness from the cooler climates.
A 93% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon blend. Fermented with indigenous yeasts and oak aged for 20 months in French oak barriques of which 37% new and 63% is neutral.
Deep ruby, pronounced intensity, ripe fruit, black cherry, blackcurrant, black plum, prune, liquorice, cola, milk chocolate, coffee, vanilla, dried meat. Dry, high acidity, medium + sticky tannins, high alcohol, full body, pronounced flavour intensity spanning primary secondary and tertiary. Smooth palate with long finish. Complex, with balanced alcohol, outstanding quality. A classic Napa Merlot with depth and finesse that develop further in the bottle over a few years.
- Grgich Hills Estate Zinfandel, 2019, Napa Valley
From Grgich’s 34-acre vineyard, which is located above Calistoga, the warmest of their five vineyards and the sole source of Grgich’s Zinfandel. Its northeast exposure catches abundant 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.
Blend of 98% Zinfandel 2% Petite Syrah. Fermented with indigenous yeast, pressed off the skins early to retain fruit character, in stainless steel tanks. It has matured for 18 months in neutral French oak barrels.
Medium garnet, medium+ intensity, vanilla, cloves, prune, dried cranberry, some cooked red cherry fruit also, cinnamon spice, hint of black pepper, meaty. Dry, medium acidity, medium tannin, high alcohol, full body, medium+ flavour intensity, medium+ finish. Very good quality. Although the aromas and flavours showcase complexity and the structure is largely fine and balanced, its alcohol content stretches a little further than anticipated.
- Grgich Hills Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, 2020, Napa Valley
2020 was a challenging but ultimately one of the most rewarding vintages. Due to low rainfall in 2020, the vines prepared themselves for drought by producing less leaves, which requires less water. The heat and drought produced exceptionally low yields but with excellent quality.
A blend of 83% Cab. Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc fermented with indigenous yeasts and with a 4- week skin contact. It spent 20 months in French oak.
Deep ruby, blackberry, ripe black cherry, eucalyptus, liquorice, violet blossom, vanilla, cinnamon spice. Dry, high acidity, high fine-grained tannins, high alcohol, full body, with pronounced flavour intensity, moreish and delicious, with long finish. Elegant and balanced with well-integrated alcohol. Outstanding quality.
This masterclass was a reminder of what makes EDW Alumni events so rewarding: the chance to learn directly from the people behind the wines, to explore the stories that shape them, and to taste with deeper understanding.
Through Ivo’s insights, we gained not just an appreciation for Grgich Hills but also a window into the values that have defined the estate for decades — resilience, integrity, and a profound respect for the land.
The wines from this evening’s event are available to order via The General Wine Company..
If you have a minimum of WSET Level 2 wine qualification, you are welcome to join the Enjoy Discovering Wine Alumni Club, which meets online around six times annually. For more details: Alumni Club.
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