Harmon Family Reserve Chardonnay 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

Our 2022 Harmon Family Reserve Chardonnay is a true expression of artistry and craftsmanship, inspired by the renowned Château Montrachet in Burgundy. This wine offers a luxurious and creamy texture that envelops the palate, reminiscent of the velvety richness of Château Montrachet without being overly buttery.

The oak presence in this wine contributes a bright vanilla toastiness that enhances the overall complexity without overwhelming the senses. Delightful notes of apple, pear, and butterscotch add layers of depth and flavor to the wine. Each sip is a harmonious blend of elegance and sophistication, offering a truly memorable tasting experience.

Pairs Well With...

Our 2022 Harmon Family Reserve Chardonnay is a versatile wine that pairs beautifully with various dishes. Its creamy texture and bright acidity make it an ideal match for creamy soups, whether served hot or cold.

For salads, the wine's acidity cuts through the richness of dressings while complementing the crispness of fresh vegetables. It also pairs wonderfully with chicken dishes, enhancing the savory flavors of the meat.

When it comes to seafood, this Chardonnay is a perfect match for white fish, as the wine's acidity balances the delicate flavors of the fish, leaving you feeling satisfied. Lastly, it pairs elegantly with pastas featuring white sauce, where the wine's creamy texture complements the richness of the sauce, bringing a contentment to your palate.

Experience the harmony of flavors and textures with our 2022 Harmon Family Reserve Chardonnay.

Vineyard

For our 2022 Harmon Family Reserve Chardonnay, we carefully select grapes from the Yorkville Highlands in Mendocino County. These vineyards, home to 40-year-old vines, are renowned for their unique and exceptional fruit.

While we eagerly anticipate the future release of our Russian River Chardonnay vineyard, which is currently in its early stages of growth, we are proud to work with these old vines. The vineyard's proximity to a river provides a natural cooling effect, with the fog helping to protect the Chardonnay grapes from the high temperatures of Mendocino County.

This unique terroir, combined with our meticulous winemaking practices, results in a Chardonnay of unparalleled quality and complexity. Experience the essence of this vineyard in every glass of our 2022 Harmon Family Reserve Chardonnay.

How It's Made

Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, our 2022 Harmon Family Reserve Chardonnay is a true labor of love. We begin by fermenting half of the wine using malolactic fermentation, which adds complexity and richness to the wine's flavor profile.

Our winemaking process continues with aging the wine for 18 months in 50% new French oak barrels. This imparts a subtle oak influence that enhances the wine's structure and adds a touch of vanilla, creating a unique flavor profile. The wine is also barrel-fermented, a process that adds depth and complexity, while also contributing to the creamy texture of the final product.

To further enhance the wine's creamy texture, we use the batonnage process, stirring the lees in the barrel to create a silky mouthfeel. This process allows us to achieve the desired creaminess without relying solely on malolactic fermentation.

As a testament to our commitment to quality, we choose not to filter or fine the wine, preserving its natural character and complexity. This dedication is reflected in the fact that only two barrels of this exceptional wine were made, making it a truly rare and exclusive offering. Experience the artistry and dedication that go into each bottle of our 2022 Harmon Family Reserve Chardonnay.