Grgich Hills Chardonnay 2022

Grgich Hills Chardonnay 2022 is a 750ml, 14.1% ABV estate-grown Napa Valley Chardonnay from biodynamically farmed vineyards. Awarded 91 points by Wine Spectator and a Gold medal at the Sommeliers Choice Awards, this vintage reflects the winery's singular commitment to bright, acid-driven Chardonnay without malolactic fermentation.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.1%  |  Origin: Napa Valley, California  |  100% Chardonnay  |  Winery: Grgich Hills Estate

Production & Heritage

Grgich Hills Estate was founded in 1977 by Miljenko "Mike" Grgich — the Croatian-born winemaker whose 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay triumphed at the legendary 1976 Judgment of Paris — and Austin Hills of the Hills Bros. Coffee family. The 2022 Chardonnay is sourced entirely from estate vineyards in American Canyon and Carneros, both farmed biodynamically and carrying Regenerative Organic Certification as of December 2022. Fermented and aged for 10 months in French oak, the wine deliberately bypasses malolactic fermentation — a defining Grgich Hills philosophy that preserves bright, natural acidity rather than the creamy, buttery profile common to many Napa Chardonnays.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with lemon verbena and lemongrass, followed by layers of yellow apple, grilled peach, and a subtle note of struck flint. A whisper of vetiver adds aromatic complexity beneath the fruit.

Taste: The entry is sleek and citrus-forward — lemon cream and Fuji apple — before broadening at mid-palate into ripe pear, white peach, and melon. Oak spice and vanilla emerge gently, framed by the wine's signature mouthwatering acidity that keeps each sip taut and focused.

Finish: Long and detailed, with salted shortbread, lime zest, and dried herbs lingering well after each sip. The acidity carries the finish cleanly, leaving a refreshing mineral impression.

How to Drink Grgich Hills Chardonnay

This Chardonnay shows best slightly chilled, around 55°F, in a wide-bowled glass that lets the aromatic layers open fully. It stands confidently on its own but also pairs beautifully with food. A French 75 variation using this wine as the sparkling substitute brings citrus brightness and structure. A White Wine Spritzer with a twist of grapefruit peel highlights the wine's natural acidity without masking its complexity. For a richer serve, use it in a White Sangria with stone fruit and fresh herbs — the peach and lemongrass notes integrate naturally.

Best For

• Gifting a wine enthusiast who appreciates old-world restraint from a Napa estate
• Hosting a seafood dinner where bright acidity needs to cut through rich dishes
• Celebrating a milestone with a winery connected to one of wine history's most iconic moments
• Building a cellar with sustainably produced, critically recognized California Chardonnay

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Grgich Hills Chardonnay taste like? It leads with bright citrus — lemon cream, lime zest, and Fuji apple — supported by ripe pear and white peach, with a long finish of salted shortbread and dried herbs. The hallmark is its crisp, mouthwatering acidity, a direct result of skipping malolactic fermentation.

How does Grgich Hills Chardonnay compare to Chateau Montelena Chardonnay? Both are benchmark Napa Valley Chardonnays with a shared origin — Mike Grgich made the Chateau Montelena that won the 1976 Judgment of Paris before founding his own estate the following year. Grgich Hills tends toward a leaner, more acid-driven style by forgoing malolactic fermentation entirely, while Chateau Montelena also favors restraint but typically shows a slightly fuller mid-palate texture.

Is Grgich Hills Chardonnay good for sipping neat? Absolutely — its layered aromatics, balanced acidity, and detailed finish make it a compelling wine to drink on its own, ideally served around 55°F to let the full aromatic range emerge.

Where is Grgich Hills Chardonnay made? Grgich Hills Estate is located in Rutherford, Napa Valley, California, and the Chardonnay fruit comes from the winery's own biodynamically farmed estate vineyards in the American Canyon and Carneros sub-regions of Napa.

What foods pair well with Grgich Hills Chardonnay? Roasted lobster tail benefits from the wine's citrus acidity cutting through the butter. Grilled halibut with lemon-herb sauce echoes the wine's lemongrass and verbena notes. A classic Caesar salad mirrors the wine's saline, savory finish. Soft-ripened cheeses like Brie or Camembert complement the subtle oak spice. Pan-seared scallops with a peach reduction pull out the stone fruit mid-palate beautifully.

What sizes does Grgich Hills Chardonnay come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format for this wine.

Is Grgich Hills Chardonnay worth the price? Grgich Hills Chardonnay positions as a premium Napa Valley estate Chardonnay, and its 91-point Wine Spectator score, Gold medal at the Sommeliers Choice Awards, biodynamic and Regenerative Organic Certified farming, and the winery's storied heritage provide strong justification within its price tier.

Why Grgich Hills Chardonnay?

Few Napa Valley Chardonnays carry as much historical weight as those from Grgich Hills Estate, a winery born directly from the Judgment of Paris. The deliberate omission of malolactic fermentation gives the 2022 a clarity and acid structure that distinguishes it from the richer, butter-forward Napa Chardonnays that dominate the market. The estate's Regenerative Organic Certification — achieved across all five vineyards in December 2022 — places this wine among the most sustainably produced in California. With a 91-point score from Wine Spectator and Gold from the Sommeliers Choice Awards, the 2022 vintage delivers on both principle and palate.