Grgich Hills Estate Strengthens Commitment to Global Agricultural Change and Humanitarian Efforts Through Continued Philanthropy Involvement

Napa, CA, February 18, 2025 - Grgich Hills Estate, the renowned Napa Valley winery, is deepening its commitment to philanthropic efforts. Known for its historic contributions ensuring Napa Valley’s reputation as the premier wine-growing region in the world, dedication to regenerative organic practices, and collaborations across borders and industries, the winery is strengthening its role in the philanthropic world of agriculture and humanitarianism. 

Grgich Hills Estate’s commitment to creating positive change through agricultural education and social responsibility has led to long-standing partnerships with notable philanthropic organizations including Roots of Peace, The World Food Prize Foundation, Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, and WiRED International. 

Violet Grgich, who has infused her personal passion for social impact into the winery's mission, plays a pivotal role as an advisory board member, event host, and panelist. Her work with these organizations reflects both the values of Grgich Hills Estate and her personal dedication to humanitarian causes. As of September 1, 2024, Violet was officially inducted into the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Advisory Board where she will serve a three-year term. As part of her role, she will uphold the mission of the organization: promote greater understanding and sustainability of cultural heritage across the United States and around the world through research, education, and community engagement. 

“It has been of the utmost pleasure to work alongside such passionate people in the agricultural, humanitarian, and cultural heritage sectors who authentically create and drive change each and every day,” notes Violet Grgich, President of Grgich Hills Estate. “The missions of each organization align with Grgich Hills Estate’s innate commitment to making our Earth a better place through our associations and initiatives. I am honored to represent our winery in these vital efforts with each organization, who, with combined efforts, are eager to shift to a new, better age of our world for generations to come.” 

Violet is also currently a board member of WiRED International, whose mission is to bring medical and health education free of charge to underserved communities around the world. Violet’s mother, Tatjana Grgich, Founder of the Tatjana Grgich Family Foundation, served as WiRED’s first board member and continued to guide and support WiRED throughout her lifetime, offering another layer of support and importance to this ongoing collaboration.  Violet continues to serve the Tatjana Grgich Family Foundation as its President, continuing Tatjana’s mission to support local and national charitable organizations providing educational, medical and spiritual resources to those most in need, particularly children.  

In addition to Violet’s role as council and board member, she is active with the World Food Prize Foundation, whose mission is to elevate innovations and inspire action to sustainably increase the quality, quantity and availability of food for all. Violet sits as a panelist during the organization’s conferences to aid in spreading regenerative agricultural education. Earlier this year, during DialogueNEXT, she participated on the panel discussing Women Replanting and Regenerating, and she was also honored to return as a panelist to speak at the 2024 Borlaug Dialogue in Des Moines, Iowa, surrounding the topic of "Seeds of Opportunity: Bridging Generations and Cultivating Diplomacy."

As an ongoing partnership with Roots of Peace, Grgich Hills Estate hosts Festival of the Bells, whose mission mirrors that of Roots of Peace: Cultivate Peace Through Agriculture. During the Festival of the Bells, representatives from countries around the world gather in Napa Valley to meet with agricultural and environmental thought leaders and share best practices and leading research affecting the environment and regenerative organic agriculture, spreading knowledge and inspiration as leaders develop healthy food systems that are economically sustainable and environmentally positive. The next Festival of the Bells will be held in November 2026. 

Just as their passion for the Earth is highlighted through their regenerative practices, Grgich Hills takes pride in the various philanthropic organizations they support, which shows their further commitment to positively impacting the agricultural sector, environment, and the world. Grgich Hills Estate believes that agriculture is the key to fostering peace and sustainability, driving their commitment to these transformative partnerships with like-minded, world-changing organizations. 

About Grgich Hills Estate: 

Grgich Hills Estate is dedicated to crafting world-class wines renowned for their elegance, complexity and balance. The winery’s mission is rooted in regenerating the earth and fostering peace through friendship while building a better future for generations to come. Founded by Miljenko “Mike” Grgich and Austin Hills in 1977, Grgich Hills Estate remains family-owned and operated, upholding the values of its founder Mike Grgich: “Every day, do your best, learn something new, and make a friend.” All grapes are estate-grown in Napa Valley and are 100% certified regenerative organic, with a deep commitment to natural, minimal-intervention winegrowing practices that capture the essence of the vineyard and vintage in every bottle.

About Colangelo & Partners: 

Colangelo & Partners specializes in premium food, wine, and spirits brands, and has long established relationships with the key press that drive these business categories and help determine the industry leaders. Agency principals have years of experience in retail and distribution as well as communications, a rare combination that gives Colangelo & Partners invaluable insights into consumer purchasing behavior. The agency focuses on ‘closing the loop’ between creative communications programs, distribution, promotion, publicity, and the consumer in order to maximize the efficiency of its communications programs and deliver measurable results.