Grgich Hills Estate Nominated for Wine Enthusiast's 2026 'American Winery of the Year' Award

Napa Valley's family-owned and operated, 100% certified regenerative organic estate is one of five nominees for the prestigious Wine Star Award

NAPA VALLEY, Calif., Sept. 10, 2026- Grgich Hills Estate, the Napa Valley winery founded by 1976 Judgment of Paris winner Miljenko "Mike" Grgich, has been named one of five final nominees for American Winery of the Year for Wine Enthusiast's 2026 Wine Star Awards. The nomination arrives in a milestone year: 2026 marks the 50th anniversary of the Judgment of Paris, the blind tasting in which Grgich's 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay bested France's finest and permanently changed the world's perception of American wine.

Founded in 1977 by Mike Grgich and Austin Hills of the Hills Bros. coffee family, Grgich Hills Estate remains family-owned and operated nearly 50 years later, now led by Mike's daughter, Violet Grgich, alongside his nephew, winemaker and Vice President of Vineyards & Production Ivo Jeramaz. Together they've carried the estate forward while holding fast to its founder's guiding philosophy: "Every day, do your best, learn something new, and make a friend."

"Being named a nominee for American Winery of the Year in this milestone year is an incredible honor," said Violet Grgich, President and Co-Owner of Grgich Hills Estate. "As we celebrate 50 years since the Judgment of Paris and look ahead to Grgich Hills Estate's 50th anniversary, we're proud to passionately carry my father's legacy forward while continuing to look toward the future and our commitment to the land, our wines, our people, and generations to come."

The nomination recognizes nearly five decades of excellence at Grgich Hills Estate, from its status as one of Napa Valley's most respected producers to its longstanding commitment to regenerative organic farming across all five estate vineyards. That legacy continues to shape the winery's future, including the September 2025 release of Paradise Block Old Vine Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from a historic Yountville vineyard block planted in 1959 that Mike Grgich found to be "Paradise" when he first saw it when he first came to Napa Valley in 1958—long before he was able to acquire it.

As the winery prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2027, the American Winery of the Year nomination places a symbolic capstone on a run of milestones, for the Judgment of Paris, for Grgich Hills Estate, and for a family still guided by the values Mike Grgich brought with him as a Croatian immigrant who reshaped American winemaking: "Every day, do your best, learn something new, and make a friend!"

Wine Enthusiast's Wine Star Awards, now in their 27th year, honor individuals and companies making outstanding contributions to the wine, spirits and beverage industry. The American Winery of the Year category is one of four that will name a winner, with nominees selected by members of Wine Enthusiast's global sales, events, marketing and editorial teams. The 2026 winners will be announced and celebrated at the 27th annual Wine Star Awards gala, a black-tie event taking place Monday, January 25, 2027, in San Francisco.

Media Contact:

Jen Caplan

Colangelo & Partners

About Grgich Hills Estate 

Grgich Hills Estate is dedicated to crafting world-class wines renowned for their elegance, complexity and balance. The winery's mission is rooted in regenerating the earth and fostering peace through friendship while building a better future for generations to come. Following the victory of the 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay crafted by Miljenko "Mike" Grgich at the 1976 Judgment of Paris, Grgich Hills Estate was founded in 1977 by Mike Grgich and Austin Hills of the Hills Bros. coffee family. Grgich Hills Estate remains family-owned and operated, upholding the values of its Croatian immigrant founder Mike Grgich: "Every day, do your best, learn something new, and make a friend." All grapes are estate-grown in Napa Valley and are 100% certified regenerative organic, with a deep commitment to natural, minimal-intervention winegrowing practices that capture the essence of the vineyard and vintage in every bottle.

About Wine Enthusiast

Wine Enthusiast is the ultimate source of innovation and information around wine. Founded in 1979 by Adam and Sybil Strum, the family-owned company is composed of Wine Enthusiast Commerce and Wine Enthusiast Media. Wine Enthusiast Shop provides premium wine-lifestyle products, reaching millions of consumers globally via direct mail, an e-commerce site, and a business-to-business division. Wine Enthusiast magazine is an award-winning print publication and online resource that showcases wine news, food trends, and more than 25,000 ratings and reviews annually. Wine Enthusiast events include the annual premier Wine Star Awards gala. In 2024, the company launched a travel division, which includes the Tasting Room Directory and Cork+Compass Travel. Together, Wine Enthusiast Companies is the indisputable hub for everything wine. We bring wine to life.

About Wine Enthusiast's Wine Star Awards

Each year, Wine Enthusiast celebrates the most influential members of the wine, spirits, and beverage world at the annual Wine Star Awards. This year marks the 27th anniversary of honoring the individuals and companies that make outstanding contributions to the industry. There are 16 categories for the 2026 Wine Star Awards. Four of the categories will have a named winner. The other 12 categories include a list of nominees exemplifying dedication and innovation to the success and growth of the wine, spirits, and beverage sector. The nominees were nominated by members of the Wine Enthusiast media team, including the global sales, events, marketing and editorial divisions. The 2026 Wine Star Award winners will be honored at the 27th annual black-tie gala in January 2027.