The Mascot

"The Mascot" started as a family wine, without a name, without a label - a blend made for and poured at the family table. The components came from vines of the highest pedigree, harvested from the younger plantings of the Harlan family estate.

History of The Mascot wine

The Mascot began without a name, without a label, simply for family and friends at the table. Made from the younger vines of Harlan Estate, BOND, and Promontory, it carries the DNA of these great wines in a more approachable style. The first official release came in 2008, when Will Harlan decided to share the much-loved blend in limited quantities.

Where does The Mascot come from

The grapes are grown in Napa Valley, in the hills around Oakville, Rutherford, and nearby areas. They come from replanted vineyards - usually 5 to 12 year old vines from Harlan Estate, BOND, and Promontory. These younger vines bring vibrant, energetic fruit notes without yet carrying the full weight of the flagship wines.

Which grapes are used in The Mascot

The core is Cabernet Sauvignon, often supported by small amounts of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. The proportions vary from vintage to vintage, but Cabernet is always the backbone. The wine ages for several years - typically 3 to 5 - before release, making it approachable at bottling while still offering great cellaring potential.

The label and the dog

One of the first things you notice about The Mascot is the label. No traditional château sketch, but a bull terrier. The image was inspired by ‘Prince’, a white bull terrier from an old engraving, and ‘Kid’, a dog featured in a 1903 book. The choice of the dog symbolizes loyalty, energy, and vitality. It makes the bottle instantly recognizable and nods to the wine’s informal origin: made to be shared at the table, as loyal as a trusted four-legged companion.

Characteristics and unique traits of The Mascot

• Charming and approachable, without heavy tannins. It feels more like a dinner companion than a showpiece.
• A limited release: once just a few hundred or thousand cases. That makes The Mascot exclusive and highly sought after by insiders.
• The dog symbol has now become as iconic as the wine itself.
• It offers a glimpse of the future; today’s vines that will one day form the core of Harlan Estate or BOND wines.

Order The Mascot online?

Want to buy The Mascot at Grandcruwijnen? The wines are carefully stored in a climate-controlled Wine Warehouse. If you choose ‘Pick up’ at checkout, you’ll immediately see the discount applied.