Wine Consul

💁‍♀️As a Latina exploring global wines, I live for the stories of underdogs who break barriers.
So, I took a historical pilgrimage to Napa Valley to walk the grounds of the legendary 1976 Judgment of Paris—the blind tasting where unknown California wines famously beat the finest French elite.
The biggest shockwave of that day? The #1 white wine was the 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay 🍇

🥇​The mastermind behind it? Miljenko “Mike” Grgich, a brilliant Croatian immigrant who used his Old World roots to out-flavor France’s absolute best.

Here are the highlights from my ultimate wine-history tour:
🏰​Chateau Montelena: Standing at this historic stone castle where the legendary Chardonnay was born. Pure magic.

🍷Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars: Checking out the birthplace of the 1973 Cab Sauv that won the #1 red spot and completed the American sweep.

📚​Grgich Hills Estate: The ultimate full-circle moment visiting the winery Mike built on his own terms.
My obsession with Croatian wine and wine in general runs deep, so seeing how a Croatian mind revolutionized Napa was incredible, super thankful for the lineup of stellar wines celebrating his life and the Judgement of Paris tasting , swipe to see the commemorative wines I tasted🥂
🙏 It’s a beautiful reminder that wine doesn’t belong to an elite club—it belongs to the dreamers and immigrants who pour their souls into the land. ✨

Today's the 50th anniversary of this great event that taught the world the evolution of the wine industry worldwide and the people that now are part of it. And I am glad to be a small part of it as well 🤗

Cheers to wine history and to keep learning more everyday 🥂📚