The News
Grgich Hills Estate announced the release of its 2023 Paris '76 single-vineyard, old-vine Chardonnay on May 27, 2026. The wine is created to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Judgment of Paris, a pivotal moment in California's wine history. The new label and name honor the legacy of Mike Grgich, who was part of that historic event.
For trade buyers and on‑premise managers, this week’s release from Grgich Hills Estate signals a focused entry into Napa Valley’s ultra‑premium segment. The new Paris ‘76 Old‑Vine Chardonnay carries an SRP of $135 and will be sold only through the estate’s tasting rooms, website, and a handful of select wholesale partners.
Napa Valley’s wine industry generated about $8.5 billion in economic impact in 2022 and accounts for less than 1% of U.S. wine production volume while commanding roughly 30% of sales value nationwide. Within that landscape, the ultra‑premium niche—less than 2% of total Napa volume yet accounting for over 15% of category revenue—has proven to be a high‑margin segment.
The release positions Paris ‘76 as an ultra‑premium offering, a segment that represents less than 2 % of Napa’s total volume but more than 15 % of category sales. At $135, it sits well above the typical $22–$25 range for standard Napa Valley Chardonnays, underscoring its premium pricing strategy.
The estate’s regenerative organic certification adds another layer of differentiation. In California, 58 % of vineyards carry sustainable or organic credentials; Paris ‘76’s full certification aligns with that broader trend toward environmentally responsible wines.
For operators who run tasting rooms or boutique wine bars, inventory control is key: because the SKU is not part of the broader wholesale network, any depletions come directly from the limited‑run stock. Bars with upscale clientele can slot Paris ‘76 into a premium menu tier but must be prepared to manage the scarcity that comes with a $135 bottle.
For wholesalers who already carry high‑end Napa wines, the release offers an opportunity to add a halo item for a niche segment of their customers—provided they have the capacity to handle the small volume and maintain the brand’s premium image. The limited run will keep this offering confined to Grgich Hills’ tasting rooms, website, and select wholesale partners.
Original Press Release
This newly labeled, single-vineyard, old-vine Chardonnay redefines the legacy of the Judgment of Paris through a fresh and elegant expression of balance, precision, and place.
NAPA VALLEY, Calif., May 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Grgich Hills Estate, the iconic Napa Valley winery celebrated for its historic role in elevating California wines to global recognition, proudly unveils its 2023 Paris '76 single-vineyard, old-vine Chardonnay. Created in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Judgment of Paris, in which the triumphant wine was crafted by Miljenko "Mike" Grgich, Paris '76 builds on a legacy deeply woven into the foundation of the estate, re-envisioning that history for a new generation.
For over fifty years, the Judgment of Paris has stood as a powerful testament to the belief that California wines belong on the world stage. In honor of that milestone, Grgich Hills Estate is paying tribute by visually reinventing its Paris Tasting Commemorative Chardonnay to Paris '76—gracing the foundational wine with a brand-new label and name to honor the occasion and the continuing momentum of Grgich Hills Estate.
"The 50th anniversary of the Judgment of Paris is a meaningful reflection of the legacy my father built, and the impact it continues to have on Napa Valley and the entire world of wine," says Violet Grgich, CEO and President of Grgich Hills Estate. "With Paris '76, we carry that legacy forward through a redesigned label that reflects its significance today and into the future—ensuring its meaning is preserved, honored, and upheld in every bottle we craft with the same care, values, and stewardship we have always fostered."
Made in the same style as Mike Grgich's world-changing Chardonnay, Paris '76 embodies his values of balance, freshness, and elegance through a newly designed label featuring the rose window of Notre-Dame de Paris, and is a stunning reflection of the spirit, innovation, and quiet confidence that defined his historic victory. As one of only three wineries in Napa Valley to have all five estate vineyards Certified Regenerative Organic, Grgich Hills Estate ensures its winemaking is grounded in living soils that enhance biodiversity and express the true character and terroir of Napa Valley. In its precision and complexity, Paris '76 stands as a soulful tribute to the man, the wine, and the moment that first brought Napa Valley to the world.
"My uncle was a pioneer who understood that great wine is grown, not made, and Paris '76 is a tribute to that vision," states Ivo Jeramaz, VP of Vineyards & Production. "Crafting this wine from our old-vine Chardonnay gives us the same flavor, concentration, and balance my uncle achieved fifty years ago. It is a wine with incredible purity and energy, carrying his iconic style and beliefs into the next generation."
As Grgich Hills Estate marks the 50th anniversary of the Judgment of Paris, the new label and evolution to Paris '76 emerges as both a celebration and a promise that this defining moment will live and breathe in every glass for many decades to come.
The 2023 Paris '76 Chardonnay officially launched on the anniversary of the Judgment of Paris, May 24, 2026, and is available in limited quantities through Grgich Hills Estate's tasting room, website, and select wholesale channels. The suggested retail price is $135 per bottle.
Sources consulted (web research):
- The Moment That Made History Grgich Hills Estate Commemorates The Jud…
- The Moment That Made History Grgich Hills Estate Commemorates The Jud…
- Moment Made History Grgich Hills 130800416
Source: BevNET