In Napa, a Vineyard Called Paradise

Violet Grgich honors her father’s legacy by letting the vineyard lead, championing a humble, regenerative approach to winemaking at Grgich Hills Estate.

Grgich Hills’ Austin’s Vineyard.

Violet Grgich knows exactly where to find Paradise.

It’s not just a feeling or a view—it’s a vineyard. The same vineyard her father, legendary Napa Valley winemaker Mike Grgich, fell in love with more than 60 years ago. He watched in horror as the site was torn up to make room for the expansion of Highway 29. Still, he waited. And in 1984, after years of holding out over the high asking price, he finally purchased the parcel for Grgich Hills Estate.

“It was the vineyard that my dad dreamed about—his version of paradise,” said Violet, the Grgich Hills President. “It was this beautiful piece of land that meant everything to him. And now, it’s part of what we call our Paradise Block. It holds so much history and emotion.”

Even though the Grgich family found their paradise, Violet holds fast to the winemaking philosophy her father instilled in her: the vineyard is the star, not the winemaker. Originally called Chateau Hills, the winery name reflected her father's belief that the chateau—the place—should be associated with the wine’s greatness, not the person behind its crafting.

If Mike Grgich were a coach, he’d cling to the ‘there’s no ‘I’ in team’ adage and focus on the work in the vineyard and cellar.

“It’s different than rock star mentality,” Violet said. “We want the vineyard to speak. For the wine to be the spirit of the land it comes from.”

Grgich Hills President Violet Grgich.

Violet’s journey to the cellar wasn’t linear. She grew up immersed in wine culture—learning English as a toddler while touring wineries with her father. Yet, she followed her own passions first: classical music, design, science, writing. She earned degrees, played early baroque instruments like the viola da gamba and harpsichord and once worked as a cook before finally returning to wine.