Sipping Your Way Through December—Day 8

Grgich Hills Estate Napa Valley Chardonnay 2022

Today’s pick comes with a bit of California history. Grgich Hills Estate was founded in 1977 by Miljenko “Mike” Grgich and Austin Hills, just a year after Mike’s 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay outscored the best of France in the famed 1976 Judgement of Paris Tasting. This competition, a blind tasting by nine French judges of French and American wines, revolutionized the wine world.

That moment in history set the stage for California to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the world’s most celebrated wine regions. It also transformed Grgich from a talented, hardworking winemaker into a beloved, globally respected figure whose influence helped define modern American wine.

The Results from The Judgement of Paris.

The 2022 Grgich Hills Estate Napa Valley Chardonnay shows that California Chardonnay doesn’t need to be oaky or buttery to be delicious. While Napa’s sunshine always gives the wine a natural generosity, the Grgich team keeps the style as focused and restrained as the climate allows, letting the quality fruit shine.

In the glass, it opens with ripe pear, toasted almonds, and a subtle minerality that, along with the bright acidity, keeps everything lifted. The richness is there, but it’s never overwhelming. The oak is supportive, not showy; the texture feels sleek, not creamy. It’s a white wine that goes well at the dinner table because it doesn’t overwhelm the food. Food-friendly, balanced, and elegant—this Napa Chardonnay is exactly the kind of bottle that makes you want to celebrate.

Listening to words of wisdom from Mike Grgich, the “king of Chardonnay” at the winery’s 40-year anniversary celebration. sadly, Grgich passed away since that meeting, but his spirit lives on in his wines.

Grgich Hills Estate vineyards are farmed naturally and have been certified organic since 2006. The winery is part of Slow Wine, with its bottles regularly featured in the Slow Wine Guide USA. This eco-friendly approach isn’t just a marketing line, either. It’s the backbone of the estate which comes through in every glass of Grgich Hills wine.

Find the wine (avg price $49) on wine-searcher.com.