A Family Steeped in Tradition: The Generations Behind Harney & Sons

In the world of specialty tea, few names carry the weight and warmth of Harney & Sons. What began in 1983 as a modest operation in a quiet family basement has blossomed into a global institution. The story of Harney & Sons is not merely one of business success; it is a narrative of familial dedication, where the craft of tea blending has been passed down through generations like a closely guarded recipe. While the company has evolved significantly since John Harney first learned the nuances of the trade from English expatriate Stanley Mason, the core of the business remains, as ever, a deeply personal family affair.

Today, as the company looks toward the future, the "Sons" in Harney & Sons has taken on a literal meaning, with the next generation actively shaping the brand’s identity. From the foundational leadership of the family matriarch to the creative contributions of the grandchildren, the Harney family remains the driving force behind every tin of tea that leaves their facilities.

The Matriarch: Elyse Harney

At the helm of this multigenerational enterprise is Elizabeth G. "Elyse" Deublein Harney. A native of North Bergen, New Jersey, and a 1952 graduate of St. Joseph’s University in Brooklyn, Elyse has been the backbone of the Harney family for decades. Her connection to her alma mater remains strong; in a testament to her enduring legacy and professional success, St. Joseph’s University has invited her to serve as the commencement speaker for the class of 2026.

Following her graduate studies at Columbia University and her marriage to John Harney in 1953, Elyse became a co-founder not only of a family of four sons and a daughter but of the tea company itself. Yet, her professional journey was multifaceted. In 1987, just years after the tea business was established, she earned her real estate license and founded Elyse Harney Real Estate (EHRE). This venture proved to be a vital pillar for the family, providing essential financial stability while the tea company found its footing. Under her guidance, EHRE grew into a premier agency serving the tri-state region of Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts. The agency remains a family legacy today, with her daughter, Elyse Harney Morris, serving as the lead broker and owner, supported by her husband, Scott, and their daughter, Brittany, who represents the next generation of that firm.

For the matriarch herself, tea is a daily ritual of variety. Her personal favorites, often highlighted in the "Elyse Harney’s Selects" collection, reflect a discerning palate. Her morning routine often features the delicate notes of Dragon Pearl Jasmine, the specific profile of Angiogenesis Foundation Green Tea, or the classic, vegetal crispness of Japanese Sencha. As the day transitions into the afternoon, she often turns to oolongs, while her evenings are reserved for soothing selections like Jasmine tea, the vibrant Yellow & Blue, or the calming chamomile—a tisane her husband brought to her for years.

The Second Generation: Crafting the Global Brand

The second generation of the Harney family has been instrumental in expanding the company’s reach and refining its expertise. Mike Harney, currently serving as Vice President and Master Tea Buyer, joined the company in 1988 after establishing a career in the hospitality industry, including managing the Richmont Hotel in Chicago. His background in hospitality instilled in him a focus on the customer experience, which he brought to the tea trade.

As the company’s primary tea buyer and blender, Mike’s role requires him to traverse the globe, meeting with producers to identify the highest quality harvests. His expertise was formalized in his 2008 book, The Harney & Sons Guide to Tea, which draws on his years of sampling thousands of unique teas. For Mike, the challenge of selecting a single favorite tea is nearly impossible. Instead, he advocates for the concept of "terroir"—the idea that a tea should act as a clear expression of the natural environment in which it was grown. His personal preferences are consistently updated and shared through the "Mike Harney’s Selects" collection, showcasing his commitment to authentic, origin-focused teas.

Working alongside Mike is his wife, Brigitte Harney, whose own journey with the family began in 1977 when she arrived in Connecticut as an au pair. After reconnecting with Mike during his internship in France, she became a permanent fixture in the family and the company. Brigitte plays a vital role as a manager and buyer. While she is famously associated with "Brigitte’s Blend," a sophisticated mix of silvery Ceylon and tippy, full-leaf Assam, her tastes are fluid. Depending on the season, she might reach for the depth of a Panyang Congou or the caffeine-free comfort of Thai Rooibos in the autumn, transitioning to the bright, fresh notes of a First Flush Darjeeling, such as the Teesta Valley, as the weather turns warmer.

The innovation side of the second generation is led by Mike’s younger brother, Paul Harney, who also serves as a Vice President. Paul has been the architect behind several of the company’s most significant modern shifts, including the expansion into organic ready-to-drink teas and juices. He was also the driving force behind the introduction of pyramid sachets, a packaging innovation that provides the convenience of a tea bag while offering the space required for whole-leaf tea to properly expand and infuse. Furthermore, Paul was a co-founder of The Hemp Division in 2018, a venture that leverages the Harney family’s deep knowledge of botanicals to explore the world of premium hemp. His personal taste, while broad, is perhaps best represented by his love for Horchata tea—a unique blend of milky oolong, toasted rice, and cinnamon bark that speaks to his affinity for Mexican flavors.

The Third Generation: Innovation and Continuity

As the company looks to the future, the third generation—Emeric and Alex Harney—is already deeply embedded in the daily operations, having grown up within the business.

Emeric Harney, the current Marketing Director, essentially grew up on the factory floor. By the age of four, he was already assisting with the labor-intensive work of labeling tea tins, and by his early teens, he was managing sales and gift-wrapping at the retail shop. His contributions have been wide-ranging, from the development of popular blends like Apple Cinnamon and White Christmas to the successful launch of the company’s SoHo retail location in 2010. Today, his influence spans brand management, product development, and the ongoing process of tea buying. His current preferences reflect a modern, versatile palate, favoring the complex, toasted profile of Matcha iri Genmaicha in the morning and the rich, structured notes of Panyang Congou in the afternoon.

Alex Harney, the eldest son, brings a different but equally vital set of skills to the company as the Content Director and Café Director. His childhood memories are punctuated by the scent of bergamot oil as he worked alongside his grandfather, John, to blend Earl Grey by hand. This early exposure to the craft fostered a lifelong creative streak. After helping manage the retail store and conducting tea tastings in his youth, Alex took on a leadership role in the company’s culinary ventures. When the retail store moved to Millerton in 2005, Alex served as the founder and executive chef of the company’s café, curating a menu that matched the quality of the tea. Beyond the kitchen, he serves as the director of film and photography for Harney & Sons, capturing the visual essence of the brand. His personal preference leans toward lightly oxidized oolongs, including varieties like Dong Ding Light, Wenshan Baozhong, and Ali San, reflecting his appreciation for teas that offer nuance and subtle complexity.

A Future Steeped in Potential

The story of Harney & Sons is not a static history; it is a living, breathing evolution. While the company has grown from a basement operation into an international leader, the fundamental philosophy of the family remains unchanged. They continue to travel the world to source the finest harvests, engage in the rigorous process of sampling and blending, and share their passion with a growing community of tea lovers.

As the family continues to grow, so too does the potential for new chapters. The founders, the second-generation stewards, and the third-generation innovators all share a common understanding: that there is always something new to discover, and there is always another cup of tea waiting to be poured. For now, the Harney family remains committed to the simple, enduring goal of making the everyday a little more exceptional, one cup at a time. Whether they are sourcing rare, high-mountain oolongs or perfecting a new organic beverage, their focus remains fixed on the values that John Harney instilled in the company four decades ago. As the business moves forward, it does so with the confidence that the next generation of the Harney family is ready to carry the tradition into the future.