About Us

The Art of Winemaking: Harvest Moon’s Legacy

The Harvest Moon, a celestial occurrence near the autumnal equinox, is known for its unique characteristics based on the ecliptic’s position in the sky. Inspired by this natural wonder, Harvest Moon Estate and Winery was established to grow, produce, and bottle exceptional Russian River Valley wines with a balanced, elegant style.

At Harvest Moon, we believe that Russian River Valley Zinfandel can be as complex and refined as any Pinot Noir or Bordeaux variety, deserving the same recognition. The Pitts family has cultivated quality grapes in the Russian River Valley since 1976. In 2000, Randy Pitts left San Francisco to oversee the family’s nine-acre ranch, learning farming techniques from his father and taking viticulture and enology courses at a local college. Randy’s homemade Zinfandel from the ranch’s back block was a delightful success, leading him to realize Zinfandel’s potential as one of California’s distinguished wines. Embracing their roles as growers and winemakers, the Pitts family released their first vintage in 2002 and continue to make their mark on the wine scene.

Beyond Zinfandel, Harvest Moon handcrafts limited quantities of Russian River Valley Gewürztraminer, Pinot Noir, Petite Sirah, and Syrah; Dry Creek Cabernet Sauvignon; Alta Mesa Malbec; and Alexander Valley Sangiovese.

In 2012, our winemaker Randy Pitts embarked on a new journey in the art of winemaking, adding handcrafted sparkling wine to Harvest Moon’s impressive portfolio. Utilizing the traditional méthode champenoise, Randy meticulously crafts each bottle to ensure the highest quality and a unique tasting experience. This sparkling wine addition showcases Harvest Moon’s dedication to innovation and the Pitts family’s passion for exploring the depths and possibilities of winemaking. At Harvest Moon, we take pride in our ability to create diverse and exceptional wines, further solidifying our legacy in the Russian River Valley and the world of winemaking.

Harvest Moon Winery is deeply committed to sustainable farming and wine-making practices, ensuring a harmonious relationship with the environment while producing exceptional wines. Our eco-friendly approach involves employing sustainable farming practices such as planting cover crops to enrich soil, using homemade fermented compost tea on vineyards to promote healthy growth, and implementing natural pest and weed management techniques to minimize chemical use.

Furthermore, our sustainable wine-making process is designed to reduce our carbon footprint. We harness solar power to fuel our operations and minimize excess packaging, all while maintaining the highest quality in our products. These practices not only benefit the environment, but also contribute to the well-being of the local community and enhance the quality of the wines we create. The result is a delightful and responsible wine-tasting experience for our customers.

Our logo, a simple circular brush stroke, is an ancient Chinese symbol adopted by the Japanese to represent the circle of life. Like our vineyards, the logo symbolizes a semi-closed system, open to external influences. The circle of life begins slowly, builds to high productivity, and then gradually declines before a brief pause and renewal. This is life, these are our seasons, and this is wine.