2025 Auction Lots

31 – 750ml Harlan Estate (1 each: 1990–2020), perfect provenance, donated by Bruce Meyer and signed by Proprietor Bill Harlan

Two (2) night exclusive California getaway, including VIP access to rare car collections and Harlan Estate, for up to three (3) couples

Two (2) nights’ accommodations at Meadowood Napa Valley, a Michelin Three-key hotel and spa in St. Helena, California
Exclusive visit, tasting and lunch at Harlan Estate
Private tour of Petersen Automotive Museum and Vault in Los Angeles, California, hosted by Collector and Founding Chairman Bruce Meyer
Private tour of Bruce Meyer’s personal car collection in Beverly Hills, including Duesenbergs, dragsters, 24 Hours of Le Mans winners and more

This extraordinary lot gives you something almost impossible to acquire: a vertical collection of 31 vintages of one of the world’s greatest wines, preserved in pristine condition.

Thanks to a lifelong friendship with Harlan Estate’s founder, H. William (“Bill”) Harlan, Bruce Meyer acquired wine every year from Harlan Estate from the time of the estate’s initial offering. To maintain the collection’s perfect provenance, Harlan agreed to cellar these bottles at the winery—something the estate has not done for any other collector. This unprecedented cache, which encompasses one bottle from each of the first 31 vintages, has never been removed from the estate grounds.

Bill Harlan purchased the original land that would eventually become Harlan Estate in 1984; at that time, the property was completely forested woodlands. The original purchase was 40 acres with 6 acres under vine; the estate has grown to 240 acres today with 40 acres under vine. The first wine released to the market was the 1990 vintage.

Harlan’s vision was twofold: He wanted to produce the California equivalent of a First Growth and to establish a family winegrowing endeavor that could last for centuries. He has clearly achieved his first goal; now, with his children in charge of winery operations, we’ll have to wait a few generations to see if the second is accomplished. Either way, Harlan Estate became California’s first “cult wine” and skyrocketed California Cabernet into another dimension.

In the Wine Advocate, Robert M. Parker, Jr. said “Harlan Estate might be the single most profound red wine made not just in California, but in the world. Not only are these wines of legend, but they are also redefining what greatness in Cabernet Sauvignon is all about. This estate is a true grand cru/first growth, making wines of irrefutable world-class quality…These wines possess all the elements of greatness—individuality, power combined with elegance, extraordinary complexity, remarkable aging potential and compelling richness without ponderousness.”

Reviews of Harlan wines have included the Wine Advocate saying, “Harlan’s 1994 comes close to immortality in the glass. 100 points,” the 1995 vintage being named as one of the 10 best wines of the 20th century by Jancis Robinson and the 1998 being called “…a tour de force in winemaking, a candidate for ‘Wine of the Vintage,” also by the Wine Advocate.

Additionally, the 1997, 2001, 2002, 2010, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019 releases all earned multiple perfect 100-point ratings from top critics, solidifying Harlan Estate’s place in the pantheon of fine wine.

While the quality of every single bottle is impressive, the importance of the provenance cannot be overestimated. If you tried to purchase this collection at current retail prices, it would be time-consuming and difficult to find. Even if you could, you would have no real guarantee of how the wine has been stored.

In addition, the winning bidder and five friends will have a coveted visit to Harlan Estate, normally closed to the public, with a tour, tasting and exclusive lunch.

To complement this unparalleled wine journey, the winning bidder will also receive an exclusive automotive experience led by renowned car collector Bruce Meyer. This includes a private tour of the Petersen Automotive Museum and Vault in Los Angeles, where Bruce Meyer is the founding chairman, followed by a rare look at Meyer’s personal collection in his private Beverly Hills Museum. Guests will marvel at a vintage collection from Duesenberg to iconic dragster, 24 Hours of Le Mans winners and other priceless legendary vehicles, adding an extraordinary automotive touch to this once-in-a-lifetime lot.

Bid high to experience a rare fusion of fine wine and automotive artistry, elevating your collection and creating unforgettable memories—all while helping to improve the lives of our children.

Insider's Info

The California experience is for up to three (3) couples. Visit to be scheduled for mutually agreeable dates. Accommodations include three (3) rooms at Meadowood Napa Valley and are based on availability upon booking. Airfare, ground transportation and additional accommodations are not included. Food and beverages are only included as stated above. Gratuities are not included or expected at the winery. The bottles of Harlan wine are perfect provenance and have never left Harlan Estate. Wine will ship directly from Harlan Estate to the winning bidder at the winning bidder’s expense.

Donor

Bruce Meyer, Harlan Estate and Meadowood Napa Valley