Subject Files
name: label: Collection Creator
content: Grgich Hills Cellar (California)
label: Collection Creator
content: Grgich, Mike (Miljenko)
label: Collection Creator
content: Chateau Montelena (California)
setName: label: See more items in
content: Mike Grgich Papers
label: See more items in
content: Mike Grgich Papers / Series 1: Personal Files
unitdate: label: Date
content: undated
label: Date
content: 1950-2006
dataSource: label: Archival Repository
content: Archives Center, National Museum of American History
identifier: label: Identifier
content: NMAH.AC.0923, Subseries 1.2
objectType: label: Type
content: Archival materials
scopecontent: label: Scope and Contents
content: These files consist of correspondence, notes, printed materials, and other documents grouped by topic.  Folder titles placed in quotation marks were found on the original files.  The files document Grgich's activities in the wine industry, his continuing interest in Croatian politics and wine, and the process of his immigration to Germany, Canada, and the United States.  There is also information about Grgich's search for land for a "New Winery" in the 1970s.

"Croatia May 98" consists of photographic prints (on plain paper) and twelve slides documenting Grgich's visit to Croatia.  The photographs depict Grgich with groups of people, vineyards, wineries, and land and seascapes.  Two folders of "Croatian Language Materials, 1964-1965," consist primarily of letters addressed to Grgich from the firm Istravinoexport in Rijeka, Yugoslavia, and typed copies of his outgoing letters concerning importation of wines and liqueurs.  There also are handwritten letters to Grgich from Frido Pogacnik in San Francisco.

"Enologija/Vinarstvo, 1953," a 154 page mimeographed volume appears to be a textbook on winemaking used by Grgich.  Portions of the volume are annotated and underlined.  
Grgich's 1985 European trip is documented in two folders of tourist brochures, maps, business cards, and his handwritten notes on winery tours and conversations. 

The undated handwritten notes in this subseries are similar to those found elsewhere in the collection, consisting largely of lists of tasks to be accomplished.  This file includes a narrative description and sketch of a winery layout with a capacity of 10,000 cases.

Four folders of immigration papers include an original of Grgich's "Indeks Kolegija," a record of university courses attended and academic progress, 1950-1954, and English and German translations of this document.  There also is a deposition by his employer in West Germany, a copy of a letter to California from Grgich's nephew to winemaker Lee Stewart attesting to his qualifications and his need for a visa petition to come to the United States, and a variety of official documents.  

Details of Grgich's work experience and continuing education activities from 1959 to 1968 are recorded in his "Job Applications" letters, including mention of work on single filter processes and co-authoring a paper on the subject. In 1974 Grgich collaborated with Wallace Johnson of Redwood Ranch and Vineyard in Sonoma County, California, in a study of mechanical harvesting of grapes.  They presented their study the following year to the American Society of Enologists and published it in Wines and Vines: The Authoritative Voice of the Wine Industry a year later.
  
Materials relating to a "new winery" include information on properties available for sale and detailed, handwritten budget sheets with estimates of income and expenses for three year periods beginning in 1976 and 1977.

The "Paris Tasting Anniversary" folder consists of news clippings reporting on the 1976 event in Paris and on anniversary celebrations in 1996 and 2006 and two photographs of Grgich with others associated with these events.

In the early 1970s Grgich considered an opportunity to move to a Washington state winery.  His letter of April 9, 1973, written after a visit to the area, included a two page document, "plans for a new company," outlining his recommendations for grape varieties and marketing activities and his expectations for annual salary and participation in stock ownership.