BOND Wine
Five wines, five vineyard sites, five representations of exceptional terroir.
This is BOND Wine.
When Bill Harlan set out to begin BOND, he recalled his time in Bourgogne, where the vineyards are highly fractionalized, most having multiple owners within one vineyard or “climat”. For example, the Grand Cru climat, Clos de Vougeot, is only 120 acres, yet has over 80 owners!
Because of this fractionalization, some of these landowners may only be able to produce one barrel of wine, making it extremely cost prohibitive. Due to this, merchants called “négociants” who purchase grapes from these growers and bottle the wine under another label, became extremely successful.
Unlike Harlan and Promontory, which are true “estate” wineries, Bill Harlan is somewhat of a négociant at BOND. Here, the team aims to produce a portfolio of single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon wines that express the finest hillside terroirs of Napa Valley. As of now, there are five representations, with the hope of adding a sixth one day.
How do they achieve this to the highest level at BOND? By building lasting relationships with the families who own “Grand Cru” quality vineyards. It’s the type of relationship that doesn’t happen overnight. In fact, if you look closely at the Matriarch, Saint Bibiana, on the label, you will notice the words “Friendship, Character, and Trust.” These words express the overarching elements of the partnerships between the Harlans and these families.
This kind of relationship takes time to build. To give you an idea, BOND’s inaugural labels, Melbury and Vecina, began with the 1999 vintage. It is now 2023, and BOND is still on the hunt for the coveted 6th climat of Napa Valley to grace its portfolio.
The five vineyards, although all located in Napa Valley, sit at different elevations and aspects and are made up of diverse soils, creating an overall completely distinct expression of wine.
Melbury sits at 348-522 feet, just above Lake Hennessy on the east side of the Valley outside Rutherford. It has eastern and southeastern exposure with rocky slopes of sedimentary soil and compressed clay. Began with the 1999 vintage.
Vecina is at 221-330 feet in the western hillsides of Oakville on bedrock with alluvial topsoil and southwest exposure, just south of the BOND winery. Began with the 1999 vintage.
St. Eden made its debut in 2001 and hails from eastern Oakville’s red rocky volcanic soils. It has northern exposure and is the lowest elevation at 145-188 feet.
Pluribus stepped into the spotlight in 2003 and is coming from decomposed volcanics surrounded by a forest on Spring Mountain. It is the highest elevation at 1,137- 1,327 feet and shares north and eastern exposures.
Quella debuted in 2006 from ancient riverbed cobbles mixed with volcanic ash on the eastern hillsides of St Helena. Sitting at 433- 595 feet, the vineyard faces Southwest.
Tasting the five wines of BOND is a lesson in terroir, exceptional terroir. Each representation a different site begging to be cherished. It’s a moment to capture, ponder, and immensely enjoy from start the finish. An experience to remember. Cheers to the entire BOND team!
*Credit to BOND Wine website for facts about the specific vineyards.