This year we are fortunate to honor and recognize Violet Grgich, President & CEO of Grgich Hills Estates for her impact in the Napa Valley wine industry, commitment to our community, and generous support of Providence Community Health Foundation Napa Valley.

Having attended the University of California, Davis, Violet earned a BA in music while taking classes in biology, chemistry, and enology. After graduation, she returned home to Grgich Hills to continue her education in the wine business, learning about daily operations of the winery by being involved with every aspect of the business. She has done everything from bottling line work to laboratory analysis and working in the tasting room. “My dad insisted that in order to lead the winery I needed to work at every single position, starting at the bottom.” She received her Master of Music in harpsichord at Indiana University and then joined the winery full-time in 1988.

As a first-generation American and the daughter of Croatian immigrants, Violet leads with unwavering principles: diversity, inclusivity, honesty, and integrity – with the goal of forging a path for modern wineries to be both environmentally and socially responsible. Under her leadership, Grgich Hills Estate has embraced regenerative farming principles, earning the rigorous Regenerative Organic Certification.

Violet carries forward the legacy of her father, world-renowned winemaker Miljenko “Mike” Grgich, and mother, esteemed philanthropist Tatjana Grgich. her deep commitment to crafting world-class wines and using her knowledge and passion to better the world.

Violet joins an illustrious group of our honorary chairs including Ken Frank, Michelle and Robin Baggett, Jean-Charles Boisset, Eileen Crane, Mary Cunningham Agee, Leslie and Rich Frank, Gina Gallo, Thomas Keller, Margrit Biever Mondavi, Beth Nickel, Dario Sattui, Emma Swain, Clarke and Elizabeth Swanson, Chuck Wagner, and the Torres and Rombauer families.