Prior to starting Harlan Estate, Bill Harlan led a colorful life. He flew planes, gambled professionally as a poker player and eventually settled on a career in real estate buying and selling properties and converting apartments to condominiums. With his experience in real estate, he knew a value when he saw one. It was a run down country club that Bill Harlan turned into the number one hotel and resort in the Napa Valley, Meadowood. Shortly after that, Harlan began purchasing undeveloped land from the Stelling family, which soon became Harlan Estate. Bill Harlan chose hillside vineyard because on his visit to Bordeaux he noticed the best vineyards were located on hillsides with good drainage. Bill Harlan’s goal was to produce a Bordeaux First Growth equivalent in California.
Harlan Estate was several years in the making before it became a commercial enterprise. The first commercial vintage of Harlan Estate was released in 1990.The early vintages were not commercially released. Prior years were made for friends and family.
The creation of Harlan Estate took almost three decades. The project first took hold in 1984.
That year, Harlan began planting the vines for what would later become Harlan Estate. The winery at Harlan was built in 2002. In April, 2021, Will Harlan was named managing director of Harlan, Bond and Promontory. The team at Harlan Estate has remained relatively consistent over the years with the core team of Don Weaver - estate director, Will Harlan - who continues expanding his responsibilities, Bill Levy - wine growing director, Mary Maher - vineyard manager, winemaker - Cory Empting and Michel Rolland - who is their consultant.
