Miljenko Mike Grgich Obituary, Croatian-American Winemaker Has Passed Away
Miljenko Mike Grgich Obituary, Death – Miljenko (Mike) Grgich, a Croatian immigrant whose wineries enabled the Napa Valley to rival the finest wines of France for the first time in history, died at the early hours of Wednesday morning. He was one hundred years old. Sally Camm, the spokesperson for Grgich Hills Estate, the Rutherford winery that Grgich co-founded in the 1970s, has confirmed that Grgich died peacefully in his sleep at his Calistoga residence, surrounded by family members. The Democratic representative for St. Helena, United States Representative Mike Thompson, issued a statement expressing “sadness” over the loss of Mike Grgich.
Mr. Mike was a trailblazing winemaker who oversaw the creation of numerous techniques that have since contributed to the international recognition and success of Napa Valley wine. “His endeavours have helped pave the way for forthcoming developments in the winemaking industry; his influence will endure for decades to come.” The significance of his contributions to the winemaking community and our valley cannot be overstated; he will be sorely missed. During his tenure at Chateau Montelena, he oversaw the production of the 1973 Chardonnay that was subsequently presented at the 1976 Paris Wine Tasting. The summit event, dubbed the “Judgement of Paris,” garnered significant international acclaim and recognition for premium California wines as a consequence of Grgich and other Napa winemakers’ triumph over their more established French rivals.
Grgich later collaborated with André Tchelistcheff, another pioneering winemaker in Napa, at Beaulieu Vineyard prior to joining Robert Mondavi Winery. The inaugural vintage manufactured by Grgich Hills was a Cabernet Sauvignon from 1969. Wine Spectator magazine deemed it “possibly the finest Cab ever made in California,” according to a company statement. During his subsequent sojourn, Grgich meticulously crafted a wine that would irrevocably alter public perception regarding the relative standing of California wines in relation to European wines.
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