Grgich Hills Estate & Spottswoode Winery
2023 Cabernet Sauvignon
"Re-Generation "
Napa Valley AVA
Auction 29 | Lot No. 88
Vintage: 2023
Grgich Hills Estate & Spottswoode Winery
Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley
10 cases produced
Highlights
- Two historic and iconic wineries come together to champion and amplify regenerative organic farming
- Regenerative farming creates living soils that support the healthiest and most resilient grapevines
- Grgich Hills is dedicated to crafting world class wines and building a better future for generations
- Spottswoode Estate is celebrating 40 years of organic farming in 2025 and ROC certification in 2023
Description
Spottswoode and Grgich Hills have long been supporters and implementers of organic, biodynamic and regenerative farming practices, and share a commitment to history and family ownership. And 2025 is a year of celebration for both: Spottswoode with 40 years of organic farming and over 50 years of family ownership, and Grgich Hills with the release of its 2023 vintage, marked by both the attainment of their Regenerative Organic Certification, as well as the commemoration of the 100th birthday of their co-founder Miljenko “Mike” Grgich. As Spottswoode also achieved Regenerative Organic Certification in 2023, it felt natural to collaborate with this lot, as friends and fellow regenerative farming advocates.
In the words of Miljenko ‘Mike’ Grgich, “Every day, do your best, learn something new, and make a friend!”
The coming together of our wineries highlights and amplifies the importance of regenerative organic farming practices and showcases that living soils allow us to craft wines with an energy, life and verve that is unmatched, while mitigating climate change. With this lot, we hope to inspire meaningful change and bring light to the farming philosophies that we are so deeply committed to.
Wine Facts
- Sustainably produced
- Organically produced (also commonly called "organically grown")
Aron Weinkauf
Winemaker, Grgich Hills Estate & Spottswoode Winery
Aron joined Spottswoode as assistant winemaker in 2006, and in 2009, he was also named Spottswoode's vineyard manager. Two years later, in recognition of his deep understanding of the vineyard, his gifted palate, and his artistry as a winemaker, Aron became the fifth winemaker in the winery's storied history. As both vineyard manager and winemaker, Aron carries on a rich tradition at Spottswoode of embracing an interconnected view of winemaking with deep roots in the vineyard. He is in the vineyard almost daily, guiding the farming of the estate's 24 blocks. In the winery, he works in small lots to ensure the Estate Cabernet Sauvignon authentically reflects the vineyard and the vintage, and that it is true to the elegant, energetic and age-worthy style for which Spottswoode has been recognized since 1982. Prior to Spottswoode, Aron worked at Paul Hobbs and was the assistant winemaker at Ficklin Vineyards.
Country born: United States
Education: Earned a BA in Spanish from Berry College. Studied abroad in Sevilla and Barcelona, Spain. Earned a degree in viticulture and enology from Fresno State. Assistant winemaker at Ficklin Vineyards. Winemaking team at Paul Hobbs.
I have a deep appreciation for my experiences throughout the years, and all I've learned working with Peter Ficklin, Paul Hobbs, Jennifer Williams and Rosemary Cakebread.
Years in the wine industry: 10-15 years
Winemaking Philosophy:
Aron's winemaking philosophy is gentle, thoughtful and vineyard driven, while still being intimately hands-on and detail-oriented. "Working with our vineyard, I've come to believe in the interconnectedness of all things. With a vineyard like Spottswoode, if you are deeply aware of the needs of the land, you can make a dynamic wine of remarkable pleasure, beauty and balance in even the most challenging vintages."
Ivo Jeramaz
Winemaker, Grgich Hills Estate & Spottswoode Winery
As the Winemaker and VP of Vineyards and Production at this iconic Napa Valley winery, Ivo Jeramaz has the awesome task of caring for the health of 366 acres of vineyards located throughout Napa Valley. Vineyard health for Mr. Jeramaz incorporates both above and below ground environments. What you see, the leaves, vines, cordons, ground cover and what you don't see, the complex microbial world beneath the soil, are of equal importance to him. Born in Croatia to a family of grape growers, as a young man, Ivo had the experience of assisting his family in the process of wine making. This early exposure to grapes and vineyard management foreshadowed his eventual entry into the world of viticulture. After receiving a Master’s of Science degree in engineering from the University of Zagreb and with the sponsorship of his uncle, celebrated Napa Valley winemaker Miljenko "Mike" Grgich, Ivo ventured to California with the goal of working as an engineer. He quickly fell in love with the scenic beauty of the Napa Valley and through Mike Grgich's detailed and passionate orientation to the field of winemaking, he became fascinated by the possibilities. Engineering emphasizes the practical applications of science and viticulture seemed to be a good fit for his training and skill set. Under Mike Grgich's mentorship, Ivo began his winemaking journey in the Napa Valley. Studies of enology and viticulture at UC Davis and work in the vineyards, the winery and lab with Mike Grgich ensued. During his three decades at Grgich Hills Estate, he has worked his way up in responsibility, learning the classic style and art of winemaking from his uncle, supported by the tools of science, technology and farmer's wisdom.
A Leader in Regenerative Viticulture Grgich Hills Estate has been farming organically since 2000, becoming Certified Organic in 2006 and has been practicing regenerative farming since 2019. Today, under Ivo's direction, the winery has taken the next step, expanding its toolbox of scientific and research based practices in order to focus on soil health, microbial biodiversity, carbon sequestration and improvements in the broader environmental ecosystem (land, people, animals). He is a spokesperson, advocate and practitioner of Regenerative Viticulture, what some experts in the field call "Organics Plus." It's an extension of biodynamic and organic farming practices and he is one of its leaders in the Napa Valley. Grgich Hills Estate is now in the process of becoming a Regenerative Organic Certified Farm through the Regenerative Organic Alliance, a leading international nonprofit organization leading the way in regenerative organic farming (https://regenorganic.org/). Ivo speaks regularly about Regenerative Viticulture at the Napa Green Organization, The Napa Valley Grape Growers and a variety of national conferences
Country born: Croatia
Years in the wine industry: 30+ years
Winery Distribution
Grgich Hills Estate & Spottswoode Winery is distributed in the following markets. Please contact the winery directly for the most up-to-date distribution information and to explore commercial opportunities.
Domestic:
- Alabama (International Wines)
- Alaska (Specialty Imports)
- Arizona (Quail Distributing)
- California (True North Wine Merchants)
- California (PMDL & Company)
- Colorado (RNDC/Grand Vin)
- Connecticut (Slocum & Sons)
- Delaware (Breakthru Aspect Division)
- Florida (Breakthru Aspect Division)
- Georgia (RNDC)
- Hawaii (RNDC)
- Idaho (Amphora)
- Illinois (Maverick Wine Company)
- Indiana (RNDC)
- Iowa (Okoboji Wines)
- Kansas (Standard Beverage)
- Kentucky (Cutting Edge Selections)
- Louisiana (Vino Wholesale)
- Maine (Martignetti/Nappi Distributors)
- Maryland (Breakthru Aspect Division)
- Massachusetts (Martignetti/Carolina Wine)
- Michigan (Veritas Distributors)
- Minnesota (Paustis Wine Company)
- Montana (Winegardner Wines)
- Nebraska (Quail Distributing)
- Nevada (Vin Sauvage)
- New Hampshire (Martignetti/NNE)
- New Jersey (Winebow)
- New Mexico (Santa Fe Boutique Wines & Spirits)
- New York (Winebow)
- North Carolina (Tyron Distributing)
- Ohio (Cutting Edge Selections)
- Oklahoma (Thirst Wine Merchants)
- Oregon (RNDC)
- Pennsylvania (The Wine Merchant)
- Rhode Island (Wine Marketing)
- South Carolina (RNDC)
- South Dakota (Okoboji Wines)
- Tennessee (Athens Distributing )
- Tennessee (Empire Distributors)
- Texas (Serendipity)
- Utah (RNDC)
- Vermont (Farrell Distributing)
- Virginia (Winebow)
- Washington (Vehrs Distributing)
- West Virginia (Winebow)
- Wisconsin (General Beverage)
- Wyoming (RNDC)
International:
- Australia (West Coast Wine Cellars)
- Austria (Kracher Fine Wine)
- Belgium (Wijnagentuur Vincent)
- Bermuda (Gosling's Limited)
- Canada - Alberta (Clarus Wine & Spirits)
- Canada - British Columbia (West Coast Wine Cellars)
- Canada - Manitoba (West Coast Wine Cellars)
- Canada - Ontario (Small Winemakers)
- Canada - Quebec (Wines by Alexander)
- Czech Republic (Premier Wine & Spirits)
- Denmark (AmericanWine.DK)
- Denmark (Bergman Fine-Wines)
- Germany (Schlumberger KG)
- Germany (Koessler & Ulbricht)
- Hong Kong (J & K Global)
- Hong Kong (Ponti Trading)
- Japan (Vinorum)
- Luxembourg (Vinoteca)
- Mexico (ECM de Vinos)
- Netherlands (Dielen Wijnhandel)
- Netherlands (Wijnagentuur Vincent)
- New Zealand (Dhall & Nash Fine Wine)
- Norway (Scent Hound Cellars)
- Philippines (Premium Wine Exchange)
- Puerto Rico (Plaza Provision Company)
- Singapore (Water and Wine)
- South Korea (Vin CSR)
- Sweden (Divine AB)
- Switzerland (Weinresidenz Putzi)
- Taiwan (Chateau Wine & Spirits)
- Thailand (Water and Wine)
- United Arab Emirates (MMI)
- United Kingdom (Emile Wines)