With the introduction of La Noble, HPS was one of the first importers to realize the untapped potential of the Languedoc region of Southern France. The brand was born in 1989, when HPS President Dan Kravitz tasted half a dozen Languedoc “Vin de Pays” Merlots at the office of a Bordeaux négociant that had just opened a Languedoc branch. He was suitably impressed by one of the wines, and immediately made an appointment to visit the supplier, Yves Delmas, of Domaine La Noble.