About Harlan Estate
Bill Harlan bought forty acres of oak woodland in the western hills above Oakville in 1984, planted it to Bordeaux varieties and set out to make what he described as a first growth of California. The first commercial vintage was 1990, released in 1996 after six years of holding back the early wines. There is one grand vin, a Cabernet Sauvignon blend with Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, and a second wine called The Maiden. Bob Levy has made the wine since the beginning, with Michel Rolland consulting. Will Harlan now leads the family's estates, which also include BOND and Promontory.
The Oakville hillsides give firmer, darker Cabernet than the valley floor. Our Napa Valley Wines and Cabernet Sauvignon pages cover the neighboring estates, and Collectible Wines holds the wider selection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Maiden?
Harlan Estate's second wine, made from lots not selected for the grand vin. It comes from the same hillside vineyard and the same cellar, drinks earlier, and costs a fraction of the price.
What is the difference between Harlan Estate, BOND and Promontory?
Three separate projects from the same family. Harlan Estate is the original Oakville hillside vineyard. BOND bottles five single vineyards from sites across Napa under separate names. Promontory is a much larger property on the western edge of Oakville, released from 2009 and run by Will Harlan.
How do you buy Harlan Estate?
Through a mailing list that has been closed or heavily oversubscribed for years. Nearly all bottles reaching retail come from private cellars and the secondary trade.
How long does Harlan Estate age?
Fifteen to twenty years for strong vintages, and the wines hold well beyond that. They are dense and tightly wound on release, so opening one inside a decade generally sells it short.