About this winery

Growing grapes sustainably has always been a top priority at Grgich Hills. All vineyards are certified organic and farmed biodynamically. This agricultural philosophy treats the Earth as a living organism and uses homeopathic preparations, cosmic rhythms, and nature’s basic life forces to bring about balance between the grapevines and the Earth. Since 2006, the entire 366 vineyard acres are biodynamically farmed – the country’s largest biodynamic vineyard acreage. Grgich Hills owns five...

See the GRGICH HILLS detail page for more information on this brand

Product notes

From budbreak through harvest we didn’t see a drop of rain, making 2008 one of the driest years since we began in 1977. Frost threatened the new buds through April, but then we enjoyed a steady, relatively cool growing season until a heat spike at the end August jump-started harvest. The lack of rain reduced the yield but created concentrated flavors.

Production notes

We fermented the grapes using only yeasts that naturally occur on the grapes and allowed the wine to gain flavors and color from extended skin contact. Each lot is aged separately for several months, and then blended to create a wine that is more complex than its individual parts. After blending, the wine spent another year and half in barrel to completely harmonize before bottling.

Tasting notes

Elegant and full bodied, the wine’s complex aromas of black berries, black licorice and a hint of cocoa powder are the perfect partner with grilled steak, roasted rack of lamb or venison stew.