Tag Archives: napa valley wines

August Bubbly Club: Iowa

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Bubbly Wine ClubDSC_0588-EditPOE Wines
NV Ultraviolet Sparkling Rosé
Napa, California

BUBBLY WINE STYLE

NV Ultraviolet Sparkling Rosé is a base of 85% Coombsville Cabernet Franc Rosé, made from the grapes that go into POE’s Ultraviolet Cabernet Sauvignon. The remaining 15% is French Colombard from Mendocino.  This sparkling rosé has aromatics of lemon blossoms and strawberry, the palate shows lovely minerality and fine bubbles, with underripe strawberry, peach, and orange peel, with a lingering bright grapefruit on the finish.

WINEMAKING:
POE had been making Champagne method sparkling wines for six years, when they decided to make a playful, fruit driven California sparkling wine, by utilizing the Charmant method.  As opposed to fermenting in the bottle, POE takes their sparkling base and instigates a second fermentation in stainless steel, utilizing yeast and sugar.  This is the same process as the Champagne method, but in a different vessel.  The fermentation is kept cold, and lasts seven weeks.  After a few months of rest, they bottle under cork.

ABOUT POE WINES:
Samantha Sheehan founded POE in 2009 after being inspired by the wines she tasted in Burgundy and Champagne.  The goal was not to replicate Burgundy, but rather create alluring, vineyard specific, age-worthy wines revealing the beautiful terroir of California.  There is minimal intervention, judicious use of sulfur, and never any additives. POE produces traditional Champagne method sparkling wines, Rosé, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and a nouveau from Pinot Noir.  Each wine is made in very limited quantities, and sold directly from the winery and to high-end restaurants around the country. 

Owner/Winemaker Sam Poe Sheehan

POE Vineyards© POE Wines

Bubbly Wine ClubBodkin Sparkling Sauv BlancBodkin Wines
Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc
Healdsburg, California

BUBBLY WINE STYLE

Bodkin Wines is proud to release the fourth cuvée of California’s first Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc. This unique and stylish twist on Sauvignon Blanc has a core of racy crispness driven by lively acidity, accented with lemon-lime aromas (no cat grass — no worries) and citrus-passion fruit flavors. The pronounced citrus tones team with a note of toasted hazelnuts to accent the enchantingly plush mouth feel of the wine. The wine is called Cuvée Agincourt in reference to the Battle of Agincourt during the Hundred Years War. In 1415 where the English army comprised largely of archers armed with Bodkin pointed arrows beat back a French army much more numerous and comprised of the nation’s high nobility.

VARIETY: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
ALCOHOL: 11.5%
DOSAGE: Brut

ABOUT BODKIN WINES:
Bodkin Wines was founded by Chris Christensen, an Iowa native, in 2011. His passion for aromatic wines and winemaking led him to create America’s first Sauvignon Blanc with bubbles. In 2013, Andrew Chambers, an Oregon native, joined the brand and they purchased 24 tons and made 1,100 cases of their award-winning Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc. Since that time, Bodkin Wines has produced over 15 varietals of wine, eleven of which were scored at 90 points or higher by Wine Enthusiast. They are consistently growing, year after year, but are determined to keep their presence small and unique. Bodkin Wines is still 100% owned by both Chris and Andrew, two guys living and working hard in Sonoma County.

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Screen Shot 2020-07-20 at 6.38.33 PM© Bodkin Wines

Veteran’s Day Fundraiser Saturday, Nov 11th at 6pm

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$1 donated for each glass or bottle of Purple Heart Wines to Purple Heart Foundation

Veteran’s Day Tasting Event
Saturday, November 11 at 6:00pm

WineStyles Tasting Station is proud to host a national fundraising collaboration with Purple Heart Wines (www.purpleheartwines.com) benefiting the Purple Heart Foundation (www.purpleheartfoundation.org), an organization which supports veterans in need.

“We’re honored to help raise awareness and funds benefiting American heroes and their families”, says Bryan McGinness, CEO of WineStyles Tasting Station. “For every glass of Purple Heart Wine served or bottle purchased across the country, we are donating $1.00 to the Purple Heart Foundation. Our fundraising efforts will culminate with a nationwide tasting event on Veterans Day, November 11th at 6:00pm – 8:00pm.”

For 50 years, the Purple Heart Foundation has been supporting and honoring the sacrifice military veterans have made for our country. Last year alone, they have helped over 19,000 veterans and secured over $300 million dollars in VA benefits.

“We hope our local communities will join us in supporting this important cause. It’s a great opportunity to enjoy a wonderful wine, while supporting our military heroes at the same time,” commented Andrea McGinness, COO of WineStyles Tasting Station.

Mondavi & Family wines of Napa Valley, producer of Purple Heart Wines, makes an annual contribution of up to $50,000 to the Purple Heart Foundation, which has been used to support U.S. military servicemen and women and their families with services like job-training, counseling and more.

The head winemaker for Purple Heart Wines is John Moynier, who served in the military during the Vietnam war from 1968-1972. “Working with a brand that combines my passions for winemaking and military service is the perfect finale to a long career in winemaking in Napa” commented Moynier.

Purple Heart Wines logo

Purple Heart Wines launched its proprietary label, Purple Heart, in 2016 – created to honor the determination, bravery and commitment of America’s military heroes. Moved by its namesake, it is this noble medal that led to the creation of the Purple Heart wine – a worthy tribute to the nation’s servicemen and women. Produced in the United States’ greatest wine region – California, it is an uncompromising wine crafted under the close stewardship of C. Mondavi & Family, whose patriarch, the late Peter Mondavi Sr., was a proud veteran of World War II. Purple Heart serves as a testament to the integrity and virtue of the Purple Heart Foundation, and aims to help further the organization’s cause through both awareness and fundraising. To support these efforts, an annual donation will be given to the Purple Heart Foundation. Learn more about Purple Heart Wines at purpleheartwines.com.

Purple Heart Foundation logoThe Purple Heart is a congressional military decoration, awarded to members of the armed forces of the U.S. who are wounded by an instrument of war in the hands of the enemy. Founded in 1958, the Military Order of the Purple Heart is a congressional chartered veteran’s organization, dedicated to assisting the needs of U.S. military servicemen and –women and their families. More information is available at purpleheartfoundation.org.

Please join us on Saturday, November 11 at 6:00pm, as we toast our veteran’s at every WineStyles location across the USA!

 

Round Pond – Winery Spotlight Tasting Event

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winery-spotlight-logoSeptember Winery Spotlight
Tasting Event
>> RSVP at your local WineStyles <<

Join us for a Winery Spotlight tasting event featuring Round Pond Estate,  from the Rutherford region of Napa Valley, California.

Round Pond, owned and operated today by the second generation of the MacDonnell family, is a 468 acre Rutherford farm and winery that specializes in the creation of pure, expressive wines, artisan foods and unforgettable experiences—all from the heart of Napa Valley. In addition to a state-of-the-art winemaking facility and 362 acres of Rutherford vineyards, the estate includes 5 acres of gardens, 12 acres of olive orchards, and one of only two olive mills in the region.

Picture of MacDonnell brother and sisterROUND POND ESTATES

Brother-sister team Miles MacDonnell and Ryan MacDonnell serve as owners of Round Pond Estate—a winery, vineyard and olive mill located on Rutherford land their family has owned since 1983.

After years of providing grapes for some of the region’s finest wine producers, the MacDonnell family began making their own wine under the Round Pond label with the inaugural 2002 vintage. Miles and Ryan assumed control of the business in 2003, and today Round Pond Estate produces highly acclaimed Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc from the family’s 362 acre vineyard. They also craft specialty gourmet foods, including fine red wine vinegars, fruit syrups and olive oil.

“We are farmers first. We have been working this land for 30 years and originally began making our own wine in order to become better farmers,” Miles says. “We’ve always been passionate about winegrowing, and we wanted to understand fully the intimate connection between what happens in each vineyard micro-block and what happens in the cellar. After our first vintage, we became excited about the winemaking side of things and what we could accomplish with fruit from our family estate.”

OLIVE OILS & VINEGARS

In the 1980s, when the MacDonnell family began vacationing in Napa Valley, they would return home with a gallon container of fresh olive oil. They loved Napa’s farm-to-table way of life and enjoyed recreating it for friends and family. When the MacDonnells moved to Rutherford for good, they knew they wanted to make their own estate olive oil. With help from legendary Florentine mill master Marco Mugelli, they constructed a state-of-the art mill—only a stone’s throw from a grove of 100-year-old Mediterranean olive trees.

Today, for every bottle of Round Pond Olive Oils purchased, Round Pond donates a bottle to help fight hunger.  They have partnered with Community Action Napa Valley (CANV), contributing to their food pantries and helping to provide over 400 nutritious hot meals daily.

Oil and vinegar bottles from Round PondIn 2000, inspired by the bounty of their vineyards, Round Pond began crafting gourmet red wine vinegars using their our own estate-grown grapes.  Crafted using the revered Orleans method, their vinegars continue the tradition of this time-honored technique, which originated almost two hundred years ago.

Making their farm-to-table philosophy a way of life, the MacDonnell family enjoys nothing more than sharing the bounty of their farm and vineyards with guests….and we hope you will too!

ROUND POND
Winery Spotlight Tasting
Rutherford, California

 Limited Seating Available – Reserve your seat ASAP!

Contact your local WineStyles to RSVP!

Charles Krug Winery Spotlight Tasting Event

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winery-spotlight-logoJanuary Winery Spotlight
Tasting Event
>> RSVP at your local WineStyles <<

 Join us for a Winery Spotlight tasting event, featuring Charles Krug Winery of Napa Valley, California.

Founded in 1861 by Charles Krug, it is the oldest winery in Napa Valley. In 1943, the winery was purchased by Cesare and Rosa Mondavi and ran by their sons Peter and Robert. Four generations later, the Mondavi family continues their legacy that started more than 70 years ago.  Please join us as we Taste, Learn and Enjoy® these historic and delicious wines from Charles Krug winery.

ABOUT CHARLES KRUG WINERY and MONDAVI FAMILY

Charles Krug

Charles Krug

The winery was founded in 1861 by a then 36-year-old Charles Krug. Just nine years after coming to America, he built what would become the cornerstone of Napa Valley.  Charles Krug introduced the cider press for winemaking, the first of which is still on display at the winery. He carefully selected rootstocks, varietals, vine spacing and vineyard sites — a novel concept in late 19th century America.

In 1943, Cesare and Rosa Mondavi purchased the Charles Krug Winery for their sons Peter and Robert to run. They undertook an extensive program to develop quality vineyards, enhance winemaking techniques and increase marketing efforts.

In 1963, Peter Mondavi, Sr. introduced French oak barrels to age wines, citing their superior quality to the American oak popular at that time. He also introduced the use of glass-lined tanks to gain more control over the winemaking process. The winery was among the first California producers to label wines by varietal.  In February 2016, Peter Mondavi Sr. passed away at the age of 101. His sons Marc and Peter Jr. continue his legacy by leading the way at Charles Krug Winery.

Mondavi Family

Mondavi Family

Today, Charles Krug Winery is under the direction of brothers Marc and Peter Mondavi, Jr., who steward the family business passed to them by their father, legendary Napa Valley wine icon Peter Mondavi, Sr. The family is now proudly welcoming members of the fourth generation to the business, continuing a legacy started more than 70 years ago, and setting a foundation for generations to come.

CHARLES KRUG
Winery Spotlight Tasting
Napa Valley, California

mondavi-wines

  • Charles Krug Sauvignon Blanc
  • Charles Krug Chardonnay
  • Charles Krug Carneros Pinot Noir
  • Charles Krug Napa Valley Merlot
  • Charles Krug Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Charles Krug Generations

 Limited Seating Available – Reserve your seat ASAP!

Contact your local WineStyles to RSVP!

Hall Winery Spotlight Tasting Event

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hall_walt-tastingOctober Winery Spotlight
Tasting Event
>> RSVP at your local WineStyles <<

HALL Wines represents critically acclaimed artisan Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from two Napa Valley  winery locations in both St. Helena and Rutherford. Owned by Craig & Kathryn Hall, its vineyard collection features five Certified Organic estates producing classic Bordeaux varietals. HALL’s highly rated wines include the Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, selected as Wine Spectator’s #18 of the ‘Top 100’ in 2010. Collectively, over 140 HALL Wines have been rated 90 points and above.

WALT Wines are dedicated to Kathryn Hall’s parents, Bob and Delores Walt, who were dedicated wine growers and their love of the vineyards inspired Kathryn to carry on the tradition.   Let’s Taste, Learn and Enjoy!®

hall-napa-valley-cabernet-sauvignon-bottle-imageABOUT HALL WINERY

Kathryn Walt Hall is the proprietor of HALL Wines and WALT Wines, and has been involved in the California wine industry since her family first purchased a vineyard in the 1970’s. She has had a distinguished career as a successful businesswoman, attorney, community activist, and as the United States Ambassador to Austria.

HALL Wines are passionate about environmental responsibility and sustainable stewardship of their land.  Their vineyards have been certified organic by the California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF). Farming organically involves committing to two principles:  ecological production and maintaining organic integrity.     Hall values the land and also value its creation, which is why they continue the tradition of hand picking all of the grapes throughout their estate vineyards.  Once the grapes are brought to the winemaking facility, the grapes are processed with innovative techniques to ensure the highest standard and quality of wine.

hall-vineyard
“Since launching HALL Wines, we have been dedicated to the preservation of the environment and bringing innovation to Napa Valley.  HALL Wines is always looking for new ways to provide support and dedication to the sustainable-living movement. We continue to reinforce our commitment to the health of the land, as well as that of the greater Napa Valley ecosystem”, notes Ambassador Kathryn Hall, HALL Wines owner and vintner.

walt-la-brisa-chard-pinotWALT Wines, owned by Vintners Kathryn Walt Hall and Craig Hall,  is dedicated to the production of premier Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the Pacific Coast’s most distinctive vineyard sites, spanning nearly 1000 miles and including Sta. Rita Hills, Sonoma County, Anderson Valley, Napa Valley and the Willamette Valley.  With their philosophy of precision, non-interventionist winemaking, it allows the wines to naturally and honestly express the character of the site where the wines are grown.

The team at Walt Wines believes in hand sorting every berry; pressing Chardonnay as whole clusters; allowing native yeast fermentation; encouraging a long malolactic fermentation with weekly batonnage and topping off; barrel aging on lees to create more texture, richness, and complexity; and never fining or filtering.  Holding true to these methods means there is no room for error or shortcuts, but the reward is a complex, expressive, complete wine.

HALL WINES
Winery Spotlight Tasting
Napa Valley, California

hall-walt-wines

  • Hall Sauvignon Blanc
  • Walt La Brisa Chardonnay
  • Walt Blue Jay Pinot Noir
  • Walt Clos Pepe Pinot Noir
  • Hall Merlot
  • Hall Cabernet Sauvignon

 Limited Seating Available – Reserve your seat at your local WineStyles Tasting Station.

Prosciutto Wrapped Halibut with Asparagus Sauce

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INGREDIENTS:
Halibut•  5 tablespoons unsalted butter
•  4 scallions, thinly sliced
•  1 pound asparagus, spears sliced ½ inch thick, tips separate
•  1 cup water
•  1 cup packed baby spinach
•  salt and fresh ground pepper
•  8 thick slices of prosciutto
•  4 skinless halibut fillets (about 5 ounces each)
•  8 small sage leaves, halved length wise
•  1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. In a skillet, melt 4 tablespoons of the butter. Add the scallions and cook over low heat until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the asparagus spears and the water and cook until tender and the water reduces to ¼ cup, about 5 minutes. Add the spinach and cook just until wilted, about 2 minutes. Puree the mixture in a blender until smooth; season with salt and pepper. Transfer the sauce to a small saucepan and keep warm.

Arrange the prosciutto slices in pairs, overlapping them slightly. Place a halibut fillet in the center of the prosciutto and top each fillet with 2 sage leaves. Season with salt and pepper and wrap the prosciutto around the fish.

In a large ovenproof skillet, melt the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter in olive oil. Add the halibut and cook over high heat until browned on the bottom, about 3 minutes. Carefully flip the fish and add the asparagus tips to the skillet. Transfer to the oven and roast the prosciutto wrapped halibut for 5 minutes.

Spoon the asparagus spinach puree onto plates, arrange the prosciutto wrapped halibut and asparagus tips alongside and serve immediately.  Recipe courtesy of Food & Wine Magazine.

TIerraYMarSB Silky_StickerTierra y Mar
Big Ranch Road Vineyard
Sauvignon Blanc
Napa Valley, CA

Tierra y Mar wines are produced from vineyards situated in select parts of Napa and Sonoma.  This Sauvignon Blanc is sourced from Big Ranch Road, in the Oakville District of Napa Valley. Oakville is known for its success with Bordeaux varietals, which includes Sauvignon Blanc. Warmer temperatures and gravelly, sandy soils help produce excellent Sauvignon Blanc.   Delicate straw and alluring aromatics shine in this racy stunner.  Notes of dandelion, honeysuckle and bright pineapple open on the nose with a mouth-feel of fresh fruits like green apple and pear.  This wine offers great acidity and a long fruit finish with a touch of a fresh herbs and clover rounding out the palette.

DougFrost“If all you know of Sauvignon Blanc is its herbaceous New Zealand side, this easy drinker offers another view: honeydew melons, red apples and even peaches to go along with the hints of lemongrass and chervil. It’s a tiny bit sweet but that just adds to the easy, tasty character.” – Doug Frost, MS, MW

Winemaker: Douglas Danielak
Appellation: Napa Valley, California
Varietal Blend:  100% Sauvignon Blanc
Analysis: 14.4% alcohol / volume

The Hess Collection

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March Winery Spotlight
Tasting Event

>> RSVP at your local WineStyles <<

Please join us for a special Winery Spotlight event, featuring The Hess Collection winery from Napa Valley, California.

The HESS Collection
Vineyards & Winery

Hess_FamilyStarted in 1844, Hess Family Wine Estates is a family-owned, fourth-generation company with a deep commitment to responsible agricultural and business practices.  Founded in Bern, Switzerland, Hess Family Wine Estates seeks, develops and mentors businesses worldwide that reflect the company’s values of tradition, quality and sustainability.

In 1978, Donald Hess founded the Hess Collection Winery on Mount Veeder, 2,000 feet above the Napa Valley.  True to his vision of what a New World wine should be, Mr. Hess established his winery on the volcanic slopes of Mount Veeder in the Napa Valley and defined a whole new approach to winemaking.  Along with its mountain vineyards, the winery has won acclaim for its other estate vineyards in the northeast and southern ends of the Napa Valley and has been recognized for its successful relationships with family-owned growers who represent some of the finest appellations in California.

The Hess Collection Winery produces three tiers of wines and has distinguished itself as a premium producer of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.

THE HESS COLLECTION WINE TASTING EVENT:

Hess_Wines

The Hess Collection Napa Valley Chardonnay
Hess Select Central Coast Pinot Noir
The Hess Collection 19 Block Mountain Cuvee
MacPhail Family Wines Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
The Hess Collection Napa Valley Allomi Cabernet Sauvignon
The Hess Collection Mt Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon

LIMITED SEATING
Contact your local WineStyles to RSVP!

Winery Spotlight

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Rombauer Tasting Event

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The Story of Rombauer Vineyards – Napa Valley, CA

Rombauer Vineyards was established in 1980, when the Rombauer family harvested their first grapes — Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley’s Stags Leap District. Nearly 35 years later, the winery remains family owned and operated with members of the first and second generations involved in all aspects of the business.  When founders Koerner and Joan Rombauer moved their two children, two horses and five dogs to Napa Valley in 1972, they had no intention of starting a winery. They chose the area because it reminded them of the small-town, agricultural environment in which they had grown up, and it appeared to be a clean, safe place to raise their children. They purchased  40 acres of beautiful hilltop land on the Silverado Trail near the town of St. Helena in California.

Rombauer_FamilyThe Rombauers did have a great appreciation for the role of wine in the fine dining experience. Koerner’s great aunt Irma Rombauer was the author of the internationally renowned cookbook The Joy of Cooking and Koerner’s ancestors were from the winegrowing region of Rheingau, Germany, where wine is considered an essential complement to a meal. It didn’t take long for Koerner and Joan to become fascinated with the growing Napa Valley wine industry. In 1976, they became partners in Conn Creek Winery.  Koerner learned the wine business first in the cellar, working hand in hand with the winemaker and learning all phases of winery operations.

In 1980, the Rombauers made their first wines under their own label at a neighbor’s winery. In 1981, they sold their interest in Conn Creek Winery and began construction of the Rombauer Vineyards winery on the property adjacent to their home.  Today, under the direction of Director of Winemaking and Viticulture Richie Allen, Rombauer Vineyards combines traditional viticultural and winemaking practices with the best available technology to ensure the highest quality wine production. The winery produces award-winning Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Zinfandel.

Rombauer-winesROMBAUER WINERY TASTING EVENT:

Chardonnay
Cabernet Sauvignon
Diamond Select Cabernet
Merlot
Zinfandel

LIMITED SEATING
Contact your local WineStyles to reserve your seat!

Grgich Hills Winery Spotlight Tasting Event

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November Tasting Event

>> RSVP at your local WineStyles <<

Mike_cheersThe Story of Grgich Hills Estate

Miljenko “Mike” Grgich first gained international recognition at the celebrated “Paris Tasting” of 1976. Then, in a now-historic blind tasting, a panel of eminent French judges swirled, sniffed, and sipped an array of the fabled white Burgundies of France and a small sampling of upstart Chardonnays from the Napa Valley. When their scores were tallied, the French judges were shocked: they had chosen the 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay, crafted by Mike Grgich,  as the finest white wine in the world. Mon Dieu! The results stunned the international wine establishment and immediately earned Mike a reputation as one of the greatest winemakers in the world.

The Paris Tasting served notice to the world that the California wine industry was on the move, and it laid the groundwork for the creation of Grgich Hills Cellar. After his victory in Paris, Mike sat down with Austin Hills and his sister, Mary Lee Strebl, from the Hills Bros. Coffee family, and on Independence Day 1977, they gave birth to Grgich Hills.  With his fierce commitment to making wines of the highest quality, Mike began producing what immediately became signature wines: the exquisite, richly complex Chardonnays that win awards and delight wine lovers across America and throughout the world.

Now 91 years old and still sporting his signature blue beret, Mike was inducted into the Vintners Hall of Fame in 2008 in honor of his many contributions to the wine industry. While many other Napa wineries pursue strategies of expansion, Mike, along with his daughter, Violet, and his nephew, Ivo Jeramaz, prefer to stay small. Their aim, year after year, is to improve the quality of their grgich-wine-bottlevineyards and their wines, relying on Mike’s unique artistic and intuitive touch. This strategy continues to pay significant dividends.

Committed to natural winegrowing and sustainability, they farm five estate vineyards without artificial fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides, rely on wild yeast fermentation and use our passion and the art of winemaking to handcraft food-friendly, balanced and elegant wines.  In keeping with Grgich’s goal of sustainability, the winery switched to solar power in 2006. As Mike often says, “From our vineyard to your glass, naturally!”

Grgich Hills remains committed to making distinctive wines with quality, consistency and longevity.  World leaders such as Presidents Reagan and Clinton, Queen Elizabeth II and French President François Mitterrand chose Grgrich wines to serve at state dinners.  More importantly,  Grgich is equally proud that every single day discriminating wine drinkers count on Grgich Hills to turn their own dinners into special occasions.

Grgich-hills-winesFEATURED GRGICH HILLS WINES AT TASTING EVENT:

Chardonnay
Fume
Zinfandel
Merlot
Cabernet

LIMITED SEATING
Contact your local WineStyles to RSVP!