Harlan

Harlan Estate was founded in 1984. It is a winery in the western hills of Oakville, California - in the heart of the Napa Valley. Consisting of 240 acres (97 ha) of natural beauty above the legendary Oakville Benchlands located at an elevation of 225-1225 feet (68-374 m) above sea level. Forty acres (17 ha) have been planted with cabernet sauvignon (70%), Merlot (20%), cabernet franc (8%) and Petit Verdot (2%).

Harlan Estate is one of those Napa Valley wine estates that have achieved true cult status. Bill Harlan, owner of Harlan Estate, has a range of Cabernet Sauvignon wines that aim to become the California counterpart to Bordeaux's "premiers grands crus classés" (Latour, Haut-Brion, Mouton-Rothschild, Lafite-Rothschild and Margaux). Each wine comes from a different "terroir" and therefore has different characteristics: one is somewhat sultry, the other mineral, and another is characterized mainly by strength and structure. Bill Harlan says he has selected the top Napa Vallay vineyards, and purchases grapes from growers with which he has a "commitment" to strive for the highest quality. The Harlan Estate is the absolute top model.