Grgich Hills Estate
2014 Chardonnay
"Great Chicago Showdown"
Napa Valley AVA
Auction 19 | Lot No. 5
Vintage: 2014
Grgich Hills Estate
Chardonnay
Napa Valley
10 cases produced
Highlights
- 2015 marks the 35th anniversary of the Great Chicago Showdown, a blind tasting of 221 Chardonnays
- Mike Grgich’s 1977 Grgich Hills Chardonnay was proclaimed the champion of that tasting
- Crafted in the same winning style, this wine showcases the best lots of our Old Wente Clone Chardonnay
- Wild yeasts were used for fermentation, preserving the wine’s pleasing acidity and fresh flavors
Description
This year marks the 35 anniversary of the Great Chicago Shootout, where in a blind tasting of 221 Chardonnays, the 1977 Grgich Hills Chardonnay was proclaimed the champion. Winning this never-before contest solidified Miljenko “Mike” Grgich’s reputation as “The King of Chardonnay.” To celebrate this historic event, we created a blend showcasing the best lots of Chardonnay from our certified organic vineyards, crafted in the same elegant, winning style.
The Shootout was one of Mike’s many accomplishments and a clear reason why he was inducted into the Vintners Hall of Fame!
Wine Facts
- Wine was dry farmed
- Sustainably produced
- Organically produced (also commonly called "organically grown")
- Wine is 100% estate grown and bottled
Miljenko Grgich
Winemaker, Grgich Hills Estate
I have worked for some of the legends of Napa Valley: Lee Stewart, of the original Souverain Cellars; Brother Timothy at Christian Brothers; for almost nine years for Andre Tchelistcheff at Beaulieu Vineyards; for Robert Mondavi; and then Chateau Montelena, where the Chardonnay that I crafted won the famed 1976 Paris Tasting. I then partnered with Austin Hills to start Grgich Hills Cellars on Independence Day 1977.
Country born: Croatia
Education: University of Zagreb, viticultural and enology.
Years in the wine industry: 30+ years
Honors / Awards:
Inducted into the Vintners Hall of Fame in 2008.
Winemaking Philosophy:
Our goal remains the same as when I started the winery more than 35 years ago: to craft a wine that is harmonized. To me, that means not too much oak, not too much alcohol, not too much of any one attribute. In other words, we craft a whole wine that is a pleasure to drink.
Beckendorf Liquors, Inc
5005 West Avenue
San Antonio TX 78213
Other Premiere Napa Valley Wines available from Beckendorf Liquors, Inc:
| Winery | Vintage | Variety | Appellation | Fanciful | Auction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buoncristiani Family Winery | 2022 | Dessert | Calistoga | The Closer | 27 (2023) |
| Hudson Napa Valley | 2021 | Chardonnay | Los Carneros | Trillium | 27 (2023) |
| Reynolds Family Winery | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Three/Sixteenths | 27 (2023) |
| Schramsberg Vineyards | 2003 | Sparkling Wine | Napa Valley | Brut Napa Valley Carneros Late Disgorged | 27 (2023) |
| Belle Glos | 2020 | Pinot Noir | Napa Valley | Eulenloch | 26 (2022) |
| Trois Noix | 2020 | Chardonnay | Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley | Muir Hanna Vineyard | 25 (2021) |
| Duckhorn Vineyards | 2018 | Merlot | Napa Valley | Three Palms Vineyard Block Selection | 24 (2020) |
| Quilt | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 24 (2020) | |
| Viader Vineyards & Winery | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Block B2 | 24 (2020) |
| Beringer Vineyards | 2017 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 23 (2019) | |
| Buena Vista Winery | 2017 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Purple Gold | 23 (2019) |
| Freemark Abbey | 2017 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | VanZ Vineyard | 23 (2019) |
| Louis M. Martini Winery | 2017 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Mount Veeder | Mount Veeder's Share | 23 (2019) |
| Materra, Cunat Family Vineyards | 2017 | Merlot | Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley | 23 (2019) | |
| PEJU | 2017 | Petit Verdot | Calistoga | Petit Pleasure | 23 (2019) |
| Red Thread Wines and Summit Lake Vineyards and Winery | 2017 | Red Wine | Howell Mountain | 23 (2019) | |
| Starmont Winery & Vineyards | 2017 | Pinot Noir | Los Carneros | Stanly Ranch Estate | 23 (2019) |
| Ancien | 2017 | Chardonnay | Coombsville | Select Old Vines | 22 (2018) |
| Casa Nuestra | 2015 | Cabernet Franc | Napa Valley | 22 (2018) | |
| Jarvis | 2016 | Cabernet Franc | Napa Valley | Frankly Franc | 22 (2018) |
| Kuleto Estate | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 22 (2018) | |
| Merus | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Coombsville | 22 (2018) | |
| Miner Family Winery | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Three's Company | 22 (2018) |
| Nickel & Nickel | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | John C. Sullenger Vineyard | 22 (2018) |
| Schermeister Cellars | 2017 | Chardonnay | Atlas Peak | Oak Before Smoke | 22 (2018) |
| Smith Devereux | 2016 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | Ibex Reserve Red | 22 (2018) |
| Starmont Winery & Vineyards | 2016 | Pinot Noir | Los Carneros | Stanly Ranch Estate | 22 (2018) |
| Bennett Lane | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Calistoga | 21 (2017) | |
| Black Stallion Estate Winery | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley | Gaspare Single Vineyard | 21 (2017) |
| Burgess Cellars | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Haymaker TKO | 21 (2017) |
| Chimney Rock Winery | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | Tomahawk Vineyard Unfiltered | 21 (2017) |
| Kuleto Estate | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 21 (2017) | |
| PEJU | 2015 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | Fashionista | 21 (2017) |
| Foley Johnson | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | 20 (2016) | |
| Grgich Hills Estate | 2015 | Chardonnay | Los Carneros | 40th Anniversary of The Judgment of Paris Tasting | 20 (2016) |
| St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | 20 (2016) | |
| Terlato Family Vineyards | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Estate Blend 715 | 20 (2016) |
| The Hess Collection Winery | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Mount Veeder | 20 (2016) | |
| Beringer Vineyards | 2013 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Howell Mountain | 19 (2015) | |
| Clos Du Val | 2013 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | Thirteen Leaps | 19 (2015) |
| Grgich Hills Estate | 2014 | Chardonnay | Napa Valley | Great Chicago Showdown | 19 (2015) |
| Inglenook | 2013 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | Creek | 19 (2015) |
| Stags’ Leap Winery | 2013 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | Estate Grown | 19 (2015) |
| Castello di Amorosa | 2012 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | 18 (2014) | |
| Louis M. Martini Winery | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 254 Meritage Blend | 18 (2014) |
| Madrigal Family Winery | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 18 (2014) | |
| Paraduxx | 2012 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | Premiere Blend | 18 (2014) |
| Sterling Vineyards | 2012 | Red Wine | Calistoga | One Plus Ultra | 18 (2014) |
| Cakebread Cellars | 2012 | Chardonnay | Los Carneros | 17 (2013) | |
| Joseph Phelps Vineyards | 2011 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | 17 (2013) | |
| XTANT | 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Heart and Soul of St. Helena | 17 (2013) |
| Hewitt Vineyard | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Oakville Meets Calistoga in Rutherford | 15 (2011) |
| Madonna Estate | 2010 | Pinot Noir | Los Carneros | Due Ragazze | 15 (2011) |
| Rombauer Vineyards | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | Stice Lane Vineyards | 15 (2011) |
Winery Distribution
Grgich Hills Estate 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 Wine & Spirits)
- Alaska (Specialty Imports )
- Arizona (Breakthru Beverage)
- Arkansas (Central Distributors, Inc)
- Colorado (Empire Distributors of Colorado, Inc)
- Connecticut (Brescome Barton/Worldwide Wines)
- Delaware (Breakthru Beverage)
- Florida (Johnson Brothers of Florida )
- Florida (Opici Family Distributing)
- Florida (Breakthru Beverage Florida )
- Georgia (RNDC Georgia)
- Georgia (National Distributing Company)
- Hawaii (Chambers & Chambers )
- Idaho (Idaho Wine Merchant )
- Idaho (TEC Distributing East)
- Idaho (TEC Distributing West (Twin Falls) )
- Illinois (Marketplace Selections)
- Illinois (H2Vino/Wine-O-Rama & Acme Wine Company)
- Indiana (Republic National Distributing Company)
- Iowa (Johnson Brothers of Iowa)
- Kansas (Standard Beverage )
- Kentucky (Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits)
- Louisiana (Wines Unlimited )
- Louisiana (Glazer’s Distributing )
- Maine (Pine State Beverage Co. )
- Maryland (Breakthru Beverage)
- Massachusetts (Classic Wine Imports )
- Michigan (Great Lakes Wine & Spirits)
- Minnesota (Johnson Brothers )
- Mississippi (Alcohol Beverage Control )
- Missouri (Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits)
- Montana (Gusto Distributing )
- Montana (Fun Beverage)
- Montana (Bronken’s Good Time Distributing)
- Montana (Summit Beverage )
- Nebraska (Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirit )
- Nevada (Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirit )
- New Hampshire (Martignetti Companies of New Hampshire)
- New Jersey (Allied Beverage)
- New Mexico (Bacchus Wine Patrol)
- New Mexico (Southern Glazers Wine and Spirits )
- New York (Wilson Daniels Wholesale)
- New York (Empire Distributing )
- North Carolina (American Beverage)
- North Dakota (Northwest Beverage)
- Ohio (Heidelberg Distributing (Cincinnati) )
- Ohio (Vintage Wine & Spirits (Columbus and Cleveland))
- Oklahoma (Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits)
- Oregon (Grape Expectations )
- Pennsylvania (Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits )
- Rhode Island (Horizon Beverage)
- South Carolina (Republic National Distributing Company )
- South Dakota (Republic National Distributing Company)
- Tennessee (Southern Glazer’s of Tennessee )
- Tennessee (Lipman Brothers)
- Tennessee (Knoxville Beverage )
- Texas (Dynamo Specialty Distributing Texas)
- Utah (Utah Liquor Control Board )
- Utah (Young’s Market of Utah)
- Vermont (Calmont Beverage Co., Inc. )
- Virginia (Select Wines, Inc. (north))
- Virginia (Breakthru Beverage (south) )
- Washington (Grape Expectations )
- West Virginia (The Country Vintner )
- Wisconsin (Breakthru Beverage)
- Wyoming (Wyoming Liquor Commission)
- Wyoming (Young’s Market Co. of Wyoming)
International:
- Bahamas (Bristol Wine and Spirits )
- Belgium (MaQuinze)
- Bermuda (Gosling's LTD)
- Canada - Alberta (Trialto)
- Canada - British Columbia (Vintage Corks)
- Canada - Manitoba (Trialto )
- Canada - New Brunswick (New Brunswick Liquor Corporation)
- Canada - Nova Scotia (Innovative Beverages)
- Canada - Ontario (Rogers & Company )
- Canada - Quebec (Noble Selection)
- Canada - Saskatchewan (Trialto)
- China (Evo Wine Group)
- Costa Rica (Hablas Bebidas)
- Croatia (Grgic Vina)
- Czech Republic (Californian Wines)
- Denmark (California Wine)
- Germany (Californian Wines)
- Hong Kong (Ponti Wine Cellars )
- India (Sansula)
- India (Dhall Food and Beverages PVT LTD)
- Ireland (Findlater)
- Japan (Wine In Style)
- Luxembourg (MaQuinze)
- Mexico (The Wine Co. )
- Netherlands (MaQuinze)
- New Zealand (Planet Wine)
- Norway (Vinetum)
- Philippines (Wine Club Worldwide)
- Puerto Rico (Plaza Provision)
- Russia (Eurazia)
- Scotland (Awin Barratt Siegel )
- Singapore (Excaliber Wines)
- South Korea (Nara Cellars )
- Sweden (Jakobsson & Soderstrom )
- Switzerland (Putzi's Weinresidenz)
- Tahiti (Pacific Beverage Co. )
- Taiwan (Prowine)
- Thailand (California Pacific Wines)
- United Arab Emirates (Harts International )
- United Kingdom (Awin Barratt Siegel)