Branching Out From Booker, Eric Jensen Launches Harvey & Harriet Label

Winemaker Eric Jensen has made a name for himself at Booker Wines, the Paso Robles, California-based winery he launched in 2005. At Booker, Jensen’s focus is on upscale Rhône-style red blends intended to compete favorably alongside high-end wines from Napa and other prestigious California appellations.

Leading the Booker lineup is Oublié ($80), a blend of Grenache, Counoise, and Mourvedre that ranked No. 10 on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of 2017. Oublié and portfoliomate Fracture—a 100% Syrah—comprise around 3,500 cases each. Across all wines, Booker currently stands at around 8,000 cases, with other expressions including Ripper, a 100% Grenache made only in select years; Vertigo, a GSM blend; and Tempranillo.

Beyond Booker, Jensen has expanded with two standalone brands that have potential for much greater volume. The first, My Favorite Neighbor ($80), is Jensen’s response to cult Cabernet Sauvignon iterations from Bordeaux and Napa Valley. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Petit Verdot, My Favorite Neighbor could hit 12,000 cases this year.

The newest addition to the stable is Harvey & Harriet, which launched on June 1. Retail priced at $50 a 750-ml., Harvey & Harriet marks the first wine from Jensen that falls below $75 a bottle. “We made this wine because it has the ability to touch more Americans, and show them true price-quality potential,” Jensen says. Harvey & Harriet’s inaugural run consists of 2,900 cases.

Over the next few years, Jensen plans to grow both My Favorite Neighbor and Harvey & Harriet, projecting a doubled capacity of 32,000 cases by 2020, while holding Booker steady at its current 8,000-case mark. “Booker has always been an estate program,” he says. Jensen owns 100 acres of vineyards—the majority of which goes toward Booker—and has long-term contracts on nearly 1,000 additional plots, which will be used to further the standalone brands. Additionally, Jensen is planning a new, state-of-the-art hospitality center at the Booker winery.—Julia Higgins

Tagged : Booker Wines, Harvey & Harriet

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