Zoom Into Wine Archive: July 22nd - Argot Wines with winemaker Justin Harmon

 Virtual Wine Tasting: Argot Wines with winemaker Justin Harmon Zoom Recap

In this Zoom we learned a little more about Argot Wines with wine expert and host Ian Blackburn. We were joined by winemaker Justin Harmon who discussed three of his wines and the Argot story. We learned how the wine was made, got behind the scenes information on the grape, the brand history, ideas, and influences!

Argot Wines Zoom Kit: included 3 different tastings of specially selected Argot wines! Wines included 2014 Motifs Pinot Noir, 2016 Starstruck Cabernet, and 2016 Mosaic Pinot Noir. Kits include some added information about the wine and discounts on future purchases.  

FULL-LENGTH ZOOM VIDEO 

ABOUT JUSTIN HARMON

JUSTIN HARMON IS ONE OF ROBERT PARKER’S “PRODUCERS TO WATCH” AND 3X WINNER OF THE WINELA PINOT TASTE-OFF!!! 

Born in Chicago, to a large Irish family, wine did not play a role in Justin’s life while growing up. Milk was the beverage of choice at the dinner table, and the industrial beers of the Midwest, fueled family parties. He does not pinpoint a specific moment that his passion for wine was ignited but, instead, attributes it to a series of experiences, places visited, bottles opened and friendships forged. At this point in life, he can not imagine a life without the joys of all things wine!

It began with the occasional bottle purchased for dinner parties, but the joy of the wine shop kept luring Justin back for more. Browsing aisles, learning from staff, participating in tastings; wine’s expansive scope continued to entice and draw him in.

Following years of devout consumerism, the desire to dig deeper became insatiable. Swirl, sniff and sip was no longer enough. Vacations revolved around wine country — visiting tasting rooms, participating in vineyard walks and winery tours, gaining audience with winemakers. The direct industry contact stoked the fire to gain additional exposure to the art of winemaking.

With an educational background in chemistry, the enology textbooks and juice concentrate kit were to be expected; the flash-frozen pails of grapes brought cross-country by rail, less so. The guerilla winemaking in his basement that followed, and experiencing fermentation first-hand, only furthered the fascination. The want for more knowledge and to continue getting his hands dirty could no longer be reigned in.

In pursuit of production experience, the chance opportunity to be involved with California’s 2005 harvest, for a single day’s work, provided his first look behind the curtain. The hook was set. The following year brought him back to California to participate in Sonoma County’s 2006 harvest as a full-fledged cellar hand. A second turn as cellar hand, during 2007’s harvest, afforded an opportunity to ferment and raise the single ton of Syrah grapes upon which Argot was founded.

Each subsequent year, under the Argot banner, Justin has continued adding vineyards, and vinting new varietals, while learning the craft of winemaking and honing his skills, on-the-job. Over a decade into this career change, he deems this his life’s work.