Harlan

Harlan Estate is perhaps the ultimate icon of Napa Valley. Founded in 1984 by Bill Harlan, nestled in the hills of Oakville, it has grown into one of the world’s most sought-after cult wines.

History of Harlan Estate

The story begins with Bill Harlan, a true adventurer. Before turning to wine, he flew airplanes, raced motorcycles, and traveled the world. During a trip to Bordeaux in the 1970s, he had a vision: California needed its own “First Growth.” That became his life’s mission. In 1984 he purchased land in Oakville and started a project whose first commercial vintage only appeared in 1996, after years of experimentation. Today, Harlan Estate has become a multi-generational legacy, with his son Will Harlan now leading the estate.

Location and Vineyards

The estate sits in the western hills of Oakville, right in the heart of Napa Valley. In total, Harlan Estate spans 240 acres, of which only 40 acres are planted with vines. The rest remains wild nature, forests, and rugged hillsides. The vineyards rise between 68 and 374 meters above sea level and are rooted in a fascinating mix of volcanic rock and ancient sedimentary soils. This diversity creates a complex terroir that shows in every bottle.

Grapes and Style of Harlan

Cabernet Sauvignon takes center stage, supported by Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. Together they form a blend that balances power, elegance, and depth. Fermentation uses whole berries and native yeasts, followed by more than two years of aging in French oak barrels. The wines are bottled without fining or filtration. The result? Year after year, Harlan scores between 97 and 100 points from the world’s leading critics.

Production and Exclusivity

Production is tiny — only around 2,000 cases a year. Most of it stays in the United States, with just a small allocation reaching official importers worldwide. This rarity also makes the wine a target for counterfeiting. Since 2004, every bottle has carried a unique code for authentication. Holding an original Harlan Estate bottle is like holding a piece of wine history.

Other Harlan Family Projects

Beyond the flagship wine, there are other icons: The Maiden (the estate’s second wine), the BOND wines (each from a specific Napa terroir), Promontory (a separate estate just west of Harlan), and The Mascot, launched in 2022. Each has its own character but is made with the same philosophy. As official importer of Harlan Estate, we also carry these wines, distributed through the Place de Bordeaux and available only via selected dealers.

Fun Facts

• The Harlan label took ten years to develop and was designed to be read by candlelight.
• The estate’s unusual variety of soils is rare in Napa and adds to the wines’ complexity.
• Critic Jancis Robinson once called Harlan Estate “one of the ten best wines of the twentieth century.”

Order Harlan Estate Online?

You can order Harlan Estate and the other Harlan projects at Grandcruwijnen. All bottles are stored in a fully conditioned Wine Warehouse. Choose Pick Up at checkout in Dordrecht and you’ll see the direct discount applied to your order.