Vintners Hall of Fame Inductee Receives Key to the City of La Quinta – Apr. 1, 2016

Site Staff Import

Violet Grgich, Maria Reye, John Healy, Mike Grgich, Mayor Linda Evans and Paul Cherett
Photo by Sherri Breyer

 

La Quinta Mayor Linda Evans honored Vintners Hall of Fame inductee Miljenko "Mike" Grgich, presenting him with a key to the city April 1 on the eve of the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Judgment of Paris.

Grgich crafted a Chardonnay in Napa Valley that beat the best of France at The Judgement of Paris in May 1976. The results stunned the wine world and proved great wines did not need French soil to make them great.

La Quinta further recognized Grgich with the re-naming of the La Quinta Resort & Club’s iconic "Fountain Room," to the "Mike Grgich Room," which will be filled with special and historic memorabilia from his lifetime. The ceremony was followed by a cocktail hour featuring Croatian-inspired canapés and Grgich Estate wines.

On April 2, Grgich celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Judgment of Paris and the launch of his autobiographical book, A Glass Full of Miracles, with a special commemorative event at Morgan’s in the Desert.

The evening included dinner prepared by James Beard Award winning Chef Jimmy Schmidt and wine pairings served by Master Sommelier Greg Tresner.

La Quinta Resort & Club
49-499 Eisenhower Dr., La Quinta, CA 92253
www.laquintaresort.com
760-564-4111

Photography by Sherri Breyer