[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 74 (Thursday, May 14, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E711]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING MIKE GRGICH AND GRGICH HILLS ESTATE

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 14, 2015

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor 
Miljenko ``Mike'' Grgich and Grgich Hills Estate Winery as they 
celebrate the thirty-fifth anniversary of the ``Great Chicago 
Chardonnay Showdown.'' At a tasting of more than 200 wines thirty-five 
years ago this month, Grgich Hills Chardonnay was recognized as the 
best chardonnay in the world.
  In the spring of 1980, Craig Goldwyn, the wine columnist for the 
Chicago Tribune, organized a tasting that went on to be known as the 
Great Chicago Chardonnay Showdown. Chardonnays from across the world, 
from France to California, and even Bulgaria were collected for an 
historic first, the largest blind tasting of one single varietal. 
Grgich Hills Estate's very first vintage was announced the winner, just 
a few short years after Mike Grgich won the Judgement of Paris wine 
competition with his Chateau Montelena chardonnay. The Chicago tasting 
is credited for helping to make chardonnay the most popular varietal in 
the United States.
  In his native Croatia, winemaking was a family passion, and Mr. 
Grgich continued the tradition through his studies at Zagreb 
University. Inspired by the stories of a better life abroad, he made 
his way across the Atlantic, and in a true demonstration of the 
American dream, went on to found his own winery. According to Grgich, 
``There is no scientific formula for making great wines. You make wines 
with your heart. You pour your love into them and nurture them like 
children, and transmit to them the richness of your spirit.''
  Currently, Grgich Hills produces 70,000 cases of wine each year using 
exclusively their own organically-grown grapes, and much of the winery 
is run by solar power. Methods that have become standard practice in 
the wine industry can trace their roots to Grgich. His influence has 
even spread back to his native Croatia where he opened a winery and 
introduced these modern techniques to the industry.
  Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we honor Mike Grgich 
for his lifetime of success and influence in the wine industry, both at 
home and abroad.

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