Grgich Hills Estate Chardonnay 2016

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The 2016 Grgich Hills Estate Chardonnay thrives in the American Canyon and Carneros vineyards in the southern tip of Napa Valley, near San Pablo Bay, which spills into the San Francisco Bay. The cool maritime breezes and morning fog allow the grapes to slowly ripen to develop complex flavors while maintaining a bright, natural acidity. Grgich Hills farm all of their vineyards naturally, without artificial pesticides or herbicides, and they are certified organic. Miljenko “Mike” Grgich first gained international recognition at the celebrated “Paris Tasting” of 1976. Then, in a now-historic blind tasting, a panel of eminent French judges swirled, sniffed, and sipped an array of the fabled white Burgundies of France and a small sampling of upstart Chardonnays from the Napa Valley. When their scores were tallied, the French judges were shocked: they had chosen the 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay, crafted by Mike Grgich, as the finest white wine in the world. Mon Dieu! The results stunned the international wine establishment and immediately earned Mike a reputation as one of the greatest winemakers in the world. Committed to natural winegrowing and sustainability, Grgich Hills farm their five estate vineyards without artificial fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides, they rely on wild yeast fermentation and use their passion and the art of winemaking to handcraft food-friendly, balanced and elegant wines. In keeping with its goal of sustainability, the winery switched to solar power in 2006. As Mike often says, “From our vineyard to your glass, naturally!” Grgich Hills Estate Chardonnay 2016 is from cool American Canyon and Carneros vineyards in the southern tip of Napa Valley, this classically styled wine that doesn’t undergo malolactic fermentation, preserving its natural acidity. Fermented and aged 10 months in French oak.

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