Bill Harlan appoints son Will as MD of Harlan Estate

Bill Harlan, founder of Napa Valley icon Harlan Estate, has appointed his son Will as its new managing director as he steps back after 40 years at the winery.

As reported by Wine Spectator, Harlan has passed the running of the business onto his son, Will, who will oversee Harlan Estate, Bond, and Promontory, where he has been working since 2017.

Will Harlan will also look after The Mascot wine brand, which is made from grapes that didn’t make the cut for the Harlan Estate Cabernet blend.

“I have often said that, when I reach the age of 80, the time will have come to turn over the leadership of our family winegrowing domain to the next generation,” Harlan told Wine Spectator.

“I am gratified to announce the transfer of the domain’s leadership to my son, Will, who became managing director of the family domain, effective 2021. I shall continue in the role of founder and chairman,” he added.

Cory Empting, winemaker for Harlan and Bond, has been promoted to managing director of winegrowing.

“I am confident that Will and Cory’s leadership, in combination with the collective talent, conviction and imagination of the second-generation management team, will enable us to flourish well into the future as we pursue our abiding aim: to elevate the human spirit through the medium and mystery of wine,” Harlan told WS.

Founded in 1984 in Oakville’s western foothills, the 33-acre Harlan Estate is one of the most highly regarded wineries in the Napa Valley and commands bottle prices of over US$1,600.

Harlan’s Bond label focuses on single vineyard Napa Valley bottlings, with release prices hovering around the US$775 mark. Completing the trilogy, the US$800 per bottle Promontory is made from a vineyard site next to Harlan Estate.