Nestled in the hills overlooking the quaint, artisan town of Harmony, just off Highway 1, Harmony Cellars has the unique advantage as the only winery in town.

 

Of course the town is one of the smallest towns in California with just 18 residents. In 1872 this dairy settlement was established providing cheese and milk to the surrounding ranches. William Randolph Hearst was a familiar face as he stopped off for fresh dairy products on his way to his ranch. After being abandoned for some years the town was revitalized in 1972. Today there are a few art studios and shops but it is the winery on the hill that gets a lot of attention.

 

The tasting room sits out in front of the winery in an attractive wood sided building with a remarkable view of the coastal countryside. Inside is a well stocked gift shop with glassware, wine accessories, gourmet food items, olive oils, baskets, purses, and the like. Its rock floor and granite countertop provides a rustic elegance to the place. Outside is a lovely patio with tables and chairs and a gazebo for cover as well as a secondary tasting counter. Being close to the ocean there is an old ships bell planted in the garden. 

 

Winemaking in Harmony is not new and the tradition harks back to the late 1800s.  The owner s Chuck and Kim Mulligan started the winery in 1989. Kim's great-grandfather, Giacomo Barloggio, a founder of the old creamery cooperative in "downtown" Harmony, used to make homemade wine in his basement.  Today's winery sits on a part of Giacomo's original land holdings; land that's been in Kim's family for four generations. 

 

The couple makes a full range of wines and blends from grapes sourced from various vineyards. Wines include Chardonnay, Riesling, Chenin Blanc, Pinot Gris, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Malbec, Zinfandel Rose and two blends and a port.