In recognition of his contributions to the American wine industry, Grgich was inducted into the Culinary Institute of America's Vintner's Hall of Fame on March 7, 2008.

Miljenko Grgich was born into a winemaking family in the town of Desne on Croatia's coastal region of Dalmatia.

[3] After working at several wineries in the Napa Valley — including Souverain Winery, Christian Brothers Cellars, Beaulieu Vineyard (working alongside André Tchelistcheff), and Robert Mondavi — Grgich became the winemaker and limited partner at Chateau Montelena.

[citation needed] The winery, which changed names to Grgich Hills Estate in 2006, owns 366 acres (148 ha) of vineyards and produces 70,000 cases of wine each year.

[8][9] His signature dark blue beret, which reflects Grgich’s European roots, is in the National Museum of American History.