A Legacy Steeped in Tradition: The Evolving Story of the Harney & Sons Family

It has been over four decades since John Harney, guided by the expertise of English tea veteran Stanley Mason, began packing premium tea in the basement of his family home. What started as a modest 1983 venture has since transformed into an industry-leading enterprise, yet the core of Harney & Sons remains anchored in its founding principles: a dedication to quality and a commitment to family. While much has changed in the world of tea since those early days, the business remains a multi-generational family endeavor. In fact, as the family looks toward the future, the "Sons" in Harney & Sons are now seeing their own children take an active interest in the company, ensuring the legacy continues to thrive.

To better understand the pillars of this organization, it is worth examining the individuals who steer the ship today. Each member of the Harney family brings a unique perspective, a distinct professional history, and a personal palate that informs the company’s ever-expanding collection of teas.

The Matriarch: Elyse Harney

At the helm of the organization sits President Elyse Harney, a figure whose influence is woven into the very fabric of the company. Born Elizabeth G. Deublein in North Bergen, New Jersey, Elyse graduated from St. Joseph’s University in Brooklyn in 1952. Her academic journey continued at Columbia University, and in 1953, she married John Harney, beginning a partnership that would eventually yield both a family and a global tea brand.

Elyse’s professional life is a testament to her versatility. Beyond co-founding Harney & Sons in 1983, she established Elyse Harney Real Estate in 1987. During the company’s formative years, her success in real estate provided the vital financial stability required to grow the tea business. Today, her real estate firm stands as a premier agency across Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts. The entrepreneurial spirit clearly runs in the bloodline, as her daughter, Elyse Harney Morris, now serves as the lead broker and owner of the agency, working alongside her husband, Scott, and their daughter, Brittany.

For Elyse, tea is not just a business; it is a daily ritual. Her personal collection, "Elyse Harney’s Selects," reflects a refined taste developed over decades. Her mornings are often defined by the delicate profiles of Dragon Pearl Jasmine, Angiogenesis Foundation Green Tea, or the classic Japanese Sencha. As the day transitions into the afternoon, she favors oolongs, eventually winding down with soothing selections like Jasmine tea, the vibrant Yellow & Blue blend, or the calming, traditional Chamomile—a tisane that has been a staple in her routine for years.

The Second Generation: Leadership and Innovation

Mike Harney, the company’s Vice President and Master Tea Buyer, represents the second generation of leadership. Following his graduation from Cornell University with a degree in Hospitality Management and Hotel Administration, Mike managed the Richmont Hotel in Chicago before returning to the family business in 1988. As the Master Tea Buyer, Mike’s role is essential to the brand’s global reputation. He travels extensively, cultivating relationships with tea producers worldwide to source the finest harvests. His 2008 publication, The Harney & Sons Guide to Tea, distilled his years of sensory training and experience as the company’s official tea taster into a comprehensive resource for enthusiasts.

Mike’s approach to tea is deeply philosophical, focusing on the concept of "terroir"—the environmental factors that give a tea its unique character. This appreciation for origin and quality is central to his curated collection, "Mike Harney’s Selects," which showcases his favorite expressions of the craft.

Working closely alongside Mike is his wife, Brigitte Harney. Born in Suresnes, France, Brigitte arrived in Connecticut in 1977 as an au pair and eventually crossed paths with the Harney family. Their reunion during Mike’s internship in France solidified a partnership that extends into their professional lives. Brigitte serves as a Manager and Buyer for the company, and her influence is reflected in the popular "Brigitte’s Blend," a sophisticated combination of silvery Ceylon and full-leaf Assam. Her preferences are seasonal and mood-dependent; she frequently opts for Supreme Breakfast tea, while autumn often calls for the deeper notes of Panyang Congou or Thai Rooibos, shifting to the crispness of a 1st Flush Darjeeling when the weather warms.

The second generation is further strengthened by Paul Harney, the firm’s other Vice President. Known as the innovator of the group, Paul has been instrumental in modernizing the Harney & Sons product line. He spearheaded the development of the company’s organic ready-to-drink teas and juices, as well as the transition to pyramid sachet packaging. This design innovation allowed the company to offer the convenience of a tea bag while maintaining the integrity of whole-leaf tea, providing better water flow and a superior infusion. Paul also played a pivotal role in launching The Hemp Division in 2018, a sister company that applies the family’s expertise in premium botanicals to the evolving market of legalized hemp. His personal taste, highlighted in "Paul Harney’s Selects," includes a notable affinity for the Horchata tea blend, which incorporates milky oolong, toasted rice, and cinnamon bark.

The Third Generation: Continuity and Vision

As the business moves into the third generation, Emeric Harney, the company’s Marketing Director, brings a lifetime of immersion in the tea industry. His training began at a remarkably young age, transitioning from peeling stickers off tea tins to working the retail floor at age 11. His career at Harney & Sons has been defined by his contributions to product development, brand management, and tea buying. Notably, he successfully launched the company’s SoHo retail store in 2010. Emeric’s own creative hand is present in popular blends like Apple Cinnamon and White Christmas. His current preferences, found in "Emeric Harney’s Selects," include the energetic Matcha iri Genmaicha for the morning and the grounded, complex profile of Panyang Congou for the afternoon.

Finally, Alex Harney, the company’s Content Director and Café Director, represents another facet of the family’s creative output. His earliest memories involve working with his grandfather to blend Earl Grey, a process that involved soaking cotton balls in bergamot oil to infuse the leaves. Beyond his work in media, Alex founded and serves as the executive chef of the company’s Millerton Café, where he crafts everything from soups to desserts. His artistic sensibility also extends to his role as the director of film and photography for the brand. Alex’s personal palate favors lightly oxidized oolongs and traditional Japanese teas, such as Dong Ding Light, Wenshan Baozhong, Ali San Oolong, Qing Ti Quan Yin, and Genmaicha.

The story of Harney & Sons is one of constant adaptation. As the family grows and the next generation matures, the company remains dedicated to the same mission that started in a basement in 1983: sourcing, blending, and sharing exceptional teas. While the family continues to explore new avenues—from hemp to ready-to-drink innovations—their commitment to the sensory experience of a perfect cup of tea remains the constant around which all their efforts revolve. As they look toward the future, the Harneys remain focused on the present, continuing to curate collections and refine blends that promise to make every day a little more exceptional for their customers.