About Grgich Hills Estate
Grgich Hills Estate sits on Highway 29 in Rutherford, in the middle of Napa Valley. Miljenko "Mike" Grgich and Austin Hills founded it in 1977, and the label still carries both the Hills family's horse crest and the Croatian coat of arms. The family-owned winery grows all of its wine on its own land, and its vineyards are certified organic and Regenerative Organic Certified, including the Paradise Block of old-vine Cabernet Sauvignon. Grgich is also known for the Chardonnay that won the 1976 Paris tasting, and in 2023 it released a Paris '76 Chardonnay to mark the occasion.
The tasting room is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome, though guided tastings depend on space. In 2026 the 90-minute seated Miljenko's Tasting of four small-production wines costs $60 per person for up to eight people. The AVA Exploration ($125) pours wines from five organic vineyards in five Napa Valley appellations and includes a walk through the Rutherford vineyard and the cellar, and a Private Library Tasting of six older vintages runs $250.
If you would rather sit outside, wine is served by the glass or bottle on a garden patio that looks toward the Vaca Mountains; table reservations are required. Children of all ages are welcome on the estate, but only guests 21 and older may taste, and dogs are allowed. Each year the winery holds a Croatian festival with Croatian food.
Bees N Blooms, an organic lavender farm with a lavender labyrinth in Santa Rosa, is about 45 minutes west over the Mayacamas Mountains, so a summer day can take in the lavender in the morning and Rutherford in the afternoon.
What to do
- Walk in for a tasting any day from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Book the 90-minute seated Miljenko's Tasting of four limited wines ($60 in 2026)
- Tour the Rutherford vineyard and cellar on the AVA Exploration ($125)
- Have a glass on the garden patio facing the Vaca Mountains (table reservation required)
- Look for the annual Croatian festival on the events page
Season, hours and prices
- Season
- Open year-round, daily
- Hours
- 2026: daily 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
- Admission
- 2026: Miljenko's Tasting $60 per person; AVA Exploration $125; Private Library Tasting $250
Good to know
- Age
- 21 or older to taste or drink alcohol
- Dogs
- Allowed
- Reservations
- Walk-in (reservations recommended for guided tastings; required for patio tables)
Tips for your visit
- Walk-ins are welcome, but book a guided tasting ahead on busy days so you are not turned away
- Kids are welcome on the estate, though tasting is 21 and older
- Patio service by the glass needs a table reservation
- Plan a designated driver before you set out
Pair it with a lavender farm
Bees N Blooms · about 45 minutes away
Start at the Bees N Blooms lavender labyrinth in Santa Rosa, then cross the mountains to Rutherford for an afternoon tasting.
Getting there
Questions
Can children come to Grgich Hills?
Yes. Children of all ages are welcome, but only guests 21 and older may taste wine.
Are dogs allowed at Grgich Hills?
Yes, dogs are welcome.
Do I need a reservation?
No for a basic visit; walk-ins are welcome daily. Guided tastings depend on availability, so booking ahead is wise.
🗺️ Part of the guide Things to Do Near the Lavender Farms of Santa Rosa & Northern Sonoma County, California
Checked in October 2026 against the business’s own website and local tourism pages. Hours and seasons change, so check with them before you go. How we check listings · Is this your business? Claim it free
