Bill Harlan Accepts Prestigious FINE Wine Award

    LONDON, ENGLAND, March 17, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- FINE Magazines, the world's leading fine wine magazines, recently announced the inaugural recipient of their FINE Life Award. This award, the highest given by the company, is presented in recognition of an individual's long-term commitment to wine and the community and people that surround it.

There was a great deal of careful consideration as to who should receive the very first FINE Life Award, but eventually the international editors of FINE Wine Magazines decided that Bill Harlan would be asked to accept the award.

Bill Harlan is the founder of legendary winery Harlan Estate, culture communities Napa Valley Reserve and Meadowood Resort and many other successful ventures in the California region. An extremely successful career in real estate was perpetually intertwined with a desire to make great wine and create something truly unique. Harlan spent a great deal of time in Burgundy and Bordeaux learning the trade, before purchasing a 230-acre plot of land near Oakville in 1984. This area was soon to become Harlan Estate and consequently one of the most revered wines of the world.

"Of all the things I have done, the most satisfying and fulfilling, second only to raising my family, has been to create our winegrowing estate; to grow grapes and make wine and be able to share it with family and friends."

However, previous to acquiring Harlan Estate, he had already gained access to the Napa Valley by purchasing the Napa Valley Reserve property. He then built it into a stunning resort, where members can grow their own wine, enjoy tastings, or simply relax in the resplendent surroundings. Since 1981, Meadowood has also played host to the annual Auction Napa Valley charity event, which has raised over USD 85 million thus far.

FINE believes that there was no other person more qualified or deserving of this esteemed honour and would like to congratulate Mr Harlan, not only for this award but for the outstanding contribution he has made to the wine community over the past twenty-five years. There is no doubt his expertise and drive will lead to even more success and superb wine in the future.

"I can say that it is an exciting way to live, both in the moment and while also working on things that can last beyond out lifetime. Working on leaving the Napa Valley better than we found it also helps to give us a certain sense of fulfilment."
Bill Harlan graciously accepted the award and FINE recently travelled to California to present the accolade in person. The full interactive interview can be found in the latest FINE American, European and Scandinavian magazines, which were released on March 15.

For further details, please contact Editor-In-Chief Pekka Nuikki: [email protected] or +358 (0) 10 289 1000

Website: http://www.fine-magazines.com

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