A Family Steeped in Tradition: The Enduring Legacy and Future of Harney & Sons

The story of Harney & Sons is one of humble beginnings, persistent passion, and a deep-rooted commitment to the craft of tea. Founded in 1983 by John Harney, the company emerged from the quiet confines of a family basement. John, having been mentored in the intricacies of the trade by English expatriate Stanley Mason, sought to bring high-quality tea to a broader audience. Over four decades later, that modest enterprise has transformed into a global name, yet the company remains a quintessentially family-run operation. If anything, the "Sons" in the name has taken on a more literal and expanded meaning, as the next generation has grown to take the helm, carrying the legacy forward into an evolving marketplace.

As the company looks toward its future, it remains vital to understand the individuals who drive its success. The Harney family, much like the teas they source and blend, is a complex composition of distinct personalities, each contributing a unique flavor to the corporate culture.

The Matriarch: Elyse Harney

At the heart of the Harney clan is Elizabeth G. "Elyse" Deublein, the company’s President and the true matriarch of the family business. Born in North Bergen, New Jersey, Elyse’s journey began well before the first tea tin was packed. A 1952 graduate of Brooklyn’s St. Joseph’s University, she has recently been honored by her alma mater, which invited her to serve as their 2026 commencement speaker—a testament to her enduring influence and professional stature.

Following graduate studies at Columbia University, she married John Harney in February 1953. While John provided the vision for the tea business, Elyse provided the foundational stability. She co-founded Harney & Sons in 1983, but her entrepreneurial spirit extended beyond the tea industry. In 1987, she founded Elyse Harney Real Estate (EHRE). During the company’s formative years, her success in the real estate market proved crucial in sustaining the family household while the tea business navigated its early growth phases.

Today, EHRE stands as a premier real estate agency across the tri-state region of Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts. The legacy continues within the real estate firm as well; her daughter, Elyse Harney Morris, joined the agency in 2005 and now serves as its owner and lead broker. With her husband, Scott, serving as an Operating Broker, and their daughter, Brittany, also employed by the firm, the family’s entrepreneurial footprint spans multiple industries.

Elyse’s own relationship with tea is as sophisticated as her business career. She maintains a curated collection, aptly titled "Elyse Harney’s Selects." Her preferences are diverse, reflecting a lifelong appreciation for the leaf. Mornings often begin with delicate options like Dragon Pearl Jasmine, Angiogenesis Foundation Green Tea, or Japanese Sencha—the latter being a long-standing favorite of her late husband. As the day transitions into the afternoon, she favors various oolongs, while her evenings are typically reserved for the soothing qualities of Jasmine Tea, Yellow & Blue, or chamomile, a tisane that John personally brought home for her for many years.

The Second Generation: Expertise and Innovation

Mike Harney, the second generation and current Vice President and Master Tea Buyer, represents the bridge between the company’s origins and its modern-day global reach. After earning a degree in Hospitality Management and Hotel Administration from Cornell University and gaining operational experience at the Richmont Hotel in Chicago, Mike officially joined the family business in 1988.

As the Master Tea Buyer and blender, Mike’s role is central to the company’s identity. His responsibilities involve extensive international travel, allowing him to cultivate relationships with tea producers and seek out the finest crops available. This hands-on expertise culminated in the 2008 publication of The Harney & Sons Guide to Tea. The book serves as a distillation of his extensive experience as an official tea taster, a role that has seen him evaluate thousands of varieties. When asked to define his favorite tea, Mike often points to the concept of "terroir"—the environmental factors that give a tea its unique character. His personal preferences are reflected in "Mike Harney’s Selects," a collection that emphasizes the distinct profiles of global tea regions.

Alongside Mike is his wife, Brigitte Harney, whose own path to the company is a story of serendipity. Born in Suresnes, France, she arrived in Connecticut in 1977 as an au pair. A chance meeting with the Harney family during her time in the United States, followed by a later reunion during Mike’s internship in France, eventually led to their partnership. Brigitte serves as a manager and buyer, bringing a nuanced perspective to the company’s operations. Her personal tea preferences are reflective of her mood and the changing seasons; while she holds a clear affinity for "Brigitte’s Blend"—a combination of silvery Ceylon and tippy, full-leaf Assam—and the Supreme Breakfast tea, she also enjoys Panyang Congou and Thai Rooibos during the autumnal months, transitioning to first-flush Darjeeling, such as the Teesta Valley 1st Flush, when the weather turns warmer.

The second generation also includes Paul Harney, a Vice President known for his penchant for innovation. Paul has been the driving force behind several key expansions in the company’s catalog. He spearheaded the line of organic ready-to-drink teas and juices, and he championed the transition to pyramid sachet packaging. These sachets were designed to bridge the gap between the convenience of a tea bag and the quality of whole-leaf tea, providing the space necessary for leaves to expand and infuse fully. Furthermore, Paul was instrumental in the 2018 launch of The Hemp Division, a sister company that utilizes the family’s deep knowledge of premium botanicals to navigate the expanding market for legal hemp products. His personal tastes are as eclectic as his innovations; he is particularly fond of Horchata tea, a blend of milky oolong, toasted rice, and cinnamon that pays homage to his appreciation for Mexican culinary traditions.

The Third Generation: Continuity and Creative Direction

The third generation of the Harney family is already deeply embedded in the day-to-day operations of the company, bringing a modern sensibility to the family’s traditional roots. Emeric Harney, the son of Mike and Brigitte, serves as the Marketing Director. His immersion in the business began in childhood; at age four, he was already assisting with the labeling of tea tins, and by his early teens, he was working in the retail shop, handling everything from customer sales to gift wrapping.

Emeric’s contributions have been diverse and significant. In 2010, he opened the company’s SoHo retail location, ensuring its success before transitioning into his current role in marketing around 2016. His work now encompasses brand management, product development, and tea buying. He has also been an active blender, responsible for popular creations such as Apple Cinnamon and White Christmas. His current preferences include a morning cup of Matcha iri Genmaicha or a mid-afternoon Panyang Congou, highlighting the third generation’s appreciation for both traditional and contemporary tea styles.

Finally, there is Alex Harney, the eldest son of the third generation, who serves as the company’s Content Director and Café Director. His early memories are inseparable from the family business, recalling the process of blending Earl Grey with his grandfather, John, by manually scenting tea leaves with bergamot oil. Alex’s role is multifaceted; he manages the company’s film and photography efforts and serves as the founder and executive chef of the Millerton Café. Since the café’s inception in 2005, Alex has overseen the creation of its entire culinary program, from soups and sandwiches to desserts. When it comes to tea, Alex demonstrates a particular affinity for lightly oxidized oolongs, with his favorites including Dong Ding Light, Wenshan Baozhong, Ali San Oolong, Qing Ti Quan Yin, and Genmaicha.

A Future Steeped in Growth

The current structure of Harney & Sons is a reflection of a family that has successfully navigated the challenges of business expansion while maintaining a sense of shared purpose. As the company continues to source, sample, and blend, the primary goal remains the same: to make the everyday experience of their customers a little more exceptional.

While the family has grown and evolved since its inception in that small basement in 1983, the essence of the enterprise remains constant. The members of the family acknowledge that the future is inherently unpredictable, and there is always something new on the horizon. Whether it involves new blends, new retail experiences, or the eventual introduction of yet another generation of Harneys to the family business, the commitment to quality and heritage remains the cornerstone of their continued journey. For now, the current generation continues to build upon the foundation laid by John and Elyse, ensuring that the Harney name remains synonymous with the art of tea.