Nova Wines in St. Helena had its beginnings in the 1980s when a group of Napa Valley friends bought grapes, made some Merlot at home, and considered how to give their wine a fanciful, imaginative name. Bob and Donna Holder and a few friends eventually were able to get a licensing agreement with the estate of Marilyn Monroe, and the group made their first commercial Marilyn Merlot in 1985. Today the wine is made at Napa Wine Co. and the parent company of the Marilyn wines is Nova Wines. Nova over the years has made makes numerous wines, from Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon to Sauvignon Blanc and sparkling wines, but all feature a unique label with an eye-catching, glamorous image of Marilyn Monroe. The name and labels have made the wines popular with collectors.