Harlan Estate was founded in 1984 by H. William Harlan, a real estate developer and Napa Valley resort owner.[1][2] It is located east of Martha's Vineyard in Oakville on a 240-acre (97 ha) property with forested areas and steep hillsides. Harlan cleared 40 acres (16 ha) for viticulture,[3] with the expressed ambition to "create a first growth wine".[4]
The first Harlan Estate wine label, which was 10 years in the making, was inspired by a 19th-century engraving and overseen by retired U.S. Treasury engraver Herb Fichter.[4] According to Harlan, the label was designed for a bottle that "would sit on a table in candlelight, not on a store shelf."[4]
Described by Jancis Robinson as "one of the ten best wines of the twentieth century,"[4] Harlan Estate has received acclaim from Wine Spectator[5] and Robert Parker, including four scores of 100 "parker points",[2] which has contributed to the wine's high price. Released at $850 per bottle, its price rose on the speculative market,[1] and may range from $1,200 and up.[2][6] A 10-vintage vertical selection of magnum bottles sold at the 2000 Napa Valley Wine Auction for $700,000.[4]
The Director of Wine Making, Bob Levy, has worked with Harlan since 1983, when Harlan took part in founding the Merryvale Winery.[1][3][4] Since 1989, Michel Rolland has served as the estates consultant enologist.[7][2][8] Construction of the current winery was completed in 2002.[1]
^ abLaube, James, Wine Spectator (April 30, 2000). "Harlan Estate". Archived from the original on December 1, 2008. Retrieved December 28, 2008.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^Suckling, James, Wine Spectator (August 31, 2006). "I Have Joined the Cult". Archived from the original on December 5, 2008. Retrieved December 28, 2008.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)