Wine Portfolio

Ivo Jeramaz

Winemaker, Grgich Hills Estate

Ivo was born in Croatia to a family of grape growers, and, as a boy, he assisted in making wine for his family's enjoyment. However, he didn't plan on becoming a winemaker. Ivo earned a Master of Science degree in engineering from the University of Zagreb and dreamed of coming to California to work as an engineer. In 1986, with the help of his uncle, Miljenko "Mike" Grgich, Ivo followed his dream and came to Napa Valley. He quickly fell in love with the scenic beauty of the area and became fascinated with wine making. Ivo decided on a career change, and Mike immediately put him to work washing barrels.

During his almost three decades at Grgich Hills Estate, Ivo has worked his way up in responsibility, learning the classic style and art of winemaking from his uncle, supported by the tools of science and technology. "There's nothing in the winery or vineyard that I haven't done, not just for one day, but really worked at it," he explains. While he has taken enology and viticulture courses at the University of California, Davis, he says, "I've learned more working in the vineyards and in the winery with Mike."

Under the guidance of his uncle, Ivo is now responsible for the day-to-day operations in the cellar and the vineyard, including naturally farming Grgich Hills Estate's 366 acres without artificial fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides.

"At Grgich Hills Estate, we grow grapes like my grandfather did, farming without chemicals and pesticides," Ivo says. "Mike taught me early in my career that you need great grapes to make great wine. Over the years, I've focused on working with the land. Through our natural farming, it's been very rewarding to seeing the soil alive with healthier plants than under conventional farming. It allows the wines to be more authentic, more distinctive."

Country born: Croatia

Education: Master of Science degree in engineering from the University of Zagreb
Enology and viticulture courses at the University of California, Davis
Mentored by his uncle, Miljenko "Mike" Grgich

Years in the wine industry: 20-30 years

Winemaking Philosophy:
Mike Grgich taught me early in my career that you need great grapes to make great wine. Over the years, I've focused on working with the land. Through our natural farming, it's been very rewarding to seeing the soil alive with healthier plants than under conventional farming. It allows the wines to be more authentic, more distinctive.

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.