Harmon Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Why the Harmon Family?
In 2022, we began managing Kim and Jason Moore's Zinfandel vineyard in Sebastopol, part of the Russian River Valley AVA. Over the next year, our relationship grew, and they helped us achieve our dream of opening a tasting room by providing additional equity and investing in our company. On August 20, 2023, Kim’s father, Charles Harmon, passed away. To honor his memory and the legacy of the premium wines and spirits her family produced in Tennessee, we collaborated with Kim to create the Harmon Family Reserve Program. Combining Kim's eye for quality and financial support with our winemaking and viticultural expertise, along with Stonemason's best vineyards and state-of-the-art practices, we crafted these ultra-premium small-batch wines.
The Harmon family has a deep-rooted history in the Appalachian region of East Tennessee, renowned for its spirits and winemaking. Spanning four generations, they have crafted premium wines and moonshine. Operating from a cave on their farm since the 1920s, the family perfected their craft in an ideal climate. Led by Charlie Harmon, the third generation became known for their widely distributed moonshine, often with the cooperation of local law enforcement. While the moonshine business ceased with Kim Harmon's birth in the late 1970s, the family's winemaking passion persisted. Kim and her uncle Bruce continued to refine their skills, preserving the Harmon legacy.
The Stonemason and Harmon Family Stories Converge
The Harmon and Stonemason stories converge in a shared dedication to tradition and craftsmanship. Batista Maggetti's arrival in 1860 from Ticino, Switzerland, marked the beginning of Stonemason Cellars' journey, with his work on the Greystone Winery laying a foundation for future generations. Today, TJ and the Stonemason Cellars team continue this legacy with meticulous care. The partnership with Kim and Jason Moore, bringing their rich Harmon family winemaking heritage, has deepened this tradition. The river rocks on the label pay homage to the creek behind the Harmon family home, symbolizing their enduring connection to their storied history, much like the cobblestones laid by Batista Maggetti that helped pave the way for Stonemason Cellars' future.
The Reserve Program Philosophy
This program reflects the family’s dedication to producing the finest wines, sparing no expense. Only two barrels of the most premium fruit are harvested each year to create a limited-production masterpiece. These wines are bigger and bolder than the rest of the portfolio yet maintain a perfect balance. The label, featuring river rocks, symbolizes the creek behind the Harmon family home where water was once pulled for moonshine production. At Stonemason Cellars, we take pride in celebrating this heritage and crafting wines that we cherish. We are confident you will enjoy these exceptional creations as much as we do, and if not, we are more than happy to drink them all ourselves!
Tastes Like
Indulge in the luxurious complexity of our 2022 Harmon Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. This exceptional wine captivates the senses with its enticing flavors and aromas. On the palate, you'll discover rich notes of chocolate and licorice interwoven with luscious black cherry and cedar undertones. Ripe black pit fruit and berry aromas further enhance the wine's depth and complexity, creating a truly indulgent experience.
What sets this Cabernet Sauvignon apart is its unique character - soft, sultry, and undeniably sexy on the palate. Unlike other cabs, it offers a velvety texture and a seductive mouthfeel that lingers long after the last sip. Each glass is a journey of discovery, revealing new layers of flavor and aroma with every taste. Experience the allure of our Harmon Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon and discover a new standard of excellence in winemaking.
Pairs Well With...
Our 2022 Harmon Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is the perfect complement to a range of hearty dishes. Pair it with a red velvet whoopie cookie for a delightful contrast of flavors and textures. For a more substantial pairing, enjoy it alongside a lamb or beef bourguignon rack, where the wine's rich notes of chocolate, licorice, and black cherry harmonize beautifully with the savory meat dishes.
For a truly indulgent experience, pair this Cabernet Sauvignon with a blue cheese filet mignon, allowing the bold flavors of the wine to complement the richness of the dish. Finish off your meal with a decadent chocolate-based dessert or a luscious dark fruit dessert to accentuate the wine's complex fruit flavors. This wine is the perfect choice for those seeking a bold and indulgent dining experience.
Vineyard
The grapes for our 2022 Harmon Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon are sourced from the prestigious Atlas Peak Stevens Vineyard, nestled at an elevation of 1200 feet on a north-facing hillside. This unique location features tight row spacing (4x4), necessitating meticulous handwork, making it one of the most expensive vineyard operations.
Despite the challenges, this tight spacing creates competition between vines, resulting in lower yields but significantly higher quality and concentration of fruit. The vineyard's volcanic soil imparts a distinctive minerality to the grapes, adding complexity to the wine. Additionally, the vineyard's environment, characterized by hot daytime temperatures and cool nighttime temperatures, provides an idyllic setting for cultivating exceptional-quality Cabernet Sauvignon.
How It's Made
First, we select only the finest grapes from the Atlas Peak Stevens Vineyard. After fermentation with natural yeast, we age the wine for 18 months in 50% new oak barrels. This extended aging process allows the wine to develop its rich complexity and depth of flavor.
To preserve the wine's natural character, we choose not to filter or fine it, ensuring that each bottle retains its unique personality. We produced only two barrels of this exceptional wine, making it a rare and exclusive offering. Experience the pinnacle of winemaking with our 2022 Harmon Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon.