Cory Empting
Winemaker · Harlan Estate · BOND · Promontory
Cory Empting started at Harlan Estate as an intern and now leads winegrowing across the Harlan family's estates: Harlan Estate, BOND, Promontory and The Mascot. Wines made under his watch have earned a string of perfect scores.
About Cory Empting
- Grew up in the Napa Valley and began learning about winemaking as a teenager.
- Joined Harlan Estate around 2000-2001 as a 20-year-old summer intern and has stayed with the Harlan family's wineries for more than two decades.
- Trained under longtime Harlan director of winegrowing Bob Levy, becoming winemaker for Harlan Estate and BOND (BOND winemaker since 2012).
- Was named director of the new Promontory winery, finished in 2017 just north of Harlan Estate, where he championed hands-off farming and large Austrian oak casks instead of French barrels.
- In January 2021 he succeeded Levy as managing director of winegrowing, overseeing Harlan Estate, BOND, Promontory and The Mascot.
- After the 2017 and 2020 wildfire seasons he led a shift toward earlier picking, mostly dry farming, lighter pruning and no canopy hedging, converting the whole Harlan Estate vineyard in 2021.
- Works alongside Will Harlan, Bill Harlan's son, who has led the family wine estates since 2020.
Where Cory makes wine today
Notable wines and scores
- 2019 Harlan Estate: 100 pts, Robert Parker / Wine Advocate (also 100 Jeb Dunnuck)
- 2021 Harlan Estate: 100 pts, Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW / The Wine Independent
- 2019 Promontory: 100 pts, Jeb Dunnuck (also 100 from The Wine Independent)
- 2016 Promontory: 100 pts, Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW / Wine Advocate
- 2016 BOND Vecina: 100 pts, Robert Parker / Wine Advocate
- 2015 BOND Pluribus: 100 pts, Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW / Wine Advocate
- 2019 BOND Vecina: 100 pts, Jeb Dunnuck
Taste Cory's wines in wine country
The Harlan family estates sell mainly to their mailing lists, and visits are rare and by invitation. Tell us which wines you would like to taste and your chauffeur will book what is possible and build the day around it. See our Napa Valley wine tours and Sonoma County wine tours, or plan a private tour.
Sources
thewineindependent.com · en.wikipedia.org · vinography.com · vinfolio.com · harlanestate.com · promontory.wine
Taste these wines with Bien
Many of these wineries are by appointment only. Tell us the wines you want to taste and your chauffeur books what is possible and builds the day around it.
Private six-hour tours with your own chauffeur and luxury SUV for up to 6 guests, from $600 plus gratuity. Bottled water and tasting appointments included.
Plan My Wine TourPrefer to talk? Call or text 833-915-2436.