Detroit News publishes a glowing review of the famous California-based Croatian winemaker’s autobiography
Detroit, June 9, 2016. The Detroit News published a glowing review of Miljenko (Mike) Grgich’s autobiography by respected wine expert Sandra Silfven. Sandra Silfven has written about wine for more than 25 years. She’s a longtime copy editor at The Detroit News, as well as a former restaurant critic.
To quote her: “Written with the assistance of Napa Valley Register editor Sasha Paulsen and published by his daughter Violetta Grgich, the book is a compelling read filled with the hardships and rewards that so many immigrants to America experienced. It’s a personal story that makes you feel like you are looking through the author’s own scrapbooks of family pictures, and the documents and articles that shaped his life. It also offers a valuable accounting of winemaking in Napa Valley starting in the late 1950s.”
Remarkably Mike Grgich did not even know his Chateau Montelena Chardonnay was submitted into the 1976 Paris competition till the telegram arrived with the results. But now, 40 years later, he is possiblyone of the most famous winemakers ever. His trademark beret, the cardboard suitcase, and the collection of wine books in it, are now proudly exhibited at the Smithsonian in Washington DC. Best of all, with partner Austin Hills, Mike now has his own winery in the Napa Valley – Grgich Hills Estate Winery. Grgich Hills Estate has become an iconic Napa Valley winery, consistently producing world-class wines. Committed to natural winegrowing and sustainability, they farm five estate vineyards without artificial pesticides or herbicides, and rely on wild yeast fermentation.
More recently Mike was instrumental in proving that Zinfandel, the quintessential California grape, is actually Crljenak Kaštelanski, an ancient Croatian grape. Since then he has also started a winery on Pelješac in Croatia, growing native Croatian varietals.
The book is a must read for any proud Croatian who wants to enjoy a remarkable story about someone who escaped communism and became an inductee into the Vintners Hall of Fame. You can get a copy of this 416 page book full of historicand colorful pictures at www.ViolettaPress.com.
