Masterclass with legendary Napa estate Grgich Hills – Tuesday 8th April

When Miljenko ‘Mike’ Grgich died, aged 100, just over a year ago, he left an indelible legacy on the Napa Valley winemaking scene.

Grgich came to fame via the celebrated ‘Paris Tasting’ of 1976, as the winemaker responsible for the 1973 Chateau Montelena that took top honours in the Chardonnay class. The success gave Grgich the confidence, a year later, to branch out alone, with the creation of his Grgich Hills winery (the Hills is a reference not to the Napa hillsides – the vineyards are on the valley floor – but to business partner Austin Hills of the Hills Bros coffee family). Initially making wine from bought-in grapes, he grew the brand to span vineyards across almost 150 hectares – predominantly Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc.

Almost half a century on, Grgich’s daughter Violet and nephew Ivo Jeramaz lead the estate. Like his uncle, Ivo grew up in Croatia to a family of grape growers. After coming to California in the 1980s seeking work as an engineer, he visited the Napa Valley, was struck by its scenic beauty, and became fascinated with winemaking. Sensing his nephew was open to a career change, Grgich put him to work washing barrels.

‘I started on $7 an hour,’ says Ivo. ‘I didn’t care. I was happy to be here. He tested me for three years to see what kind of person I was. It took me 10 years before he gave me any responsibility.’ Today, Ivo is responsible for all day-to-day operations in the cellar and the vineyards, which he transformed to organic and biodynamic farming in 2003 – a decision he says it took only five minutes for his uncle to approve.

Ivo says such an approach ‘allows the wines to be more authentic – more distinctive.’ We invite you to judge for yourself as we welcome Ivo to 67 Pall Mall to host what promises to be a thrilling tasting of Grgich Hills wines.

The wines we will be tasting:
2022 Chardonnay, Grgich Hills, Napa Valley
2014 Chardonnay, Grgich Hills, Napa Valley
2021 Chardonnay, Grgich Hills, Napa Valley
2019 Zinfandel, Grgich Hills, Napa Valley
2020 Cabernet Sauvignon, Grgich Hills, Napa Valley
2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, Grgich Hills, Napa Valley
2020 Old Vine Cabernet, Grgich Hills, Napa Valley
2013 Old Vine Cabernet, Grgich Hills, Napa Valley

Tuesday 8th April
St. James’s Room
18:30 – Welcome reception
19:00 – Masterclass begins
20:30 – Masterclass ends

Please note that we now offer a tasting board of charcuterie, cheese, olives and smoked crispy chickpeas to accompany your tasting. Simply select your preferred option from the dropdown menu when you book your tickets.

Please note, tickets are refundable for cancellations up to 5 days before the event. Cancellations must be made in writing to [email protected]. Any cancellations within 5 days of the event are non-refundable unless 67 Pall Mall resells the ticket to another Member. This is only possible when the event is sold out and there is a waiting list.

Please note that once your order is placed, your ticket status will display as “processing” until after the event, when your member account is then charged. You will receive an email confirmation after ordering your tickets, stating that your order is being processed – please take this as full confirmation that your booking has been finalised. For any questions, please reach out to [email protected].