Three decades in tea.

James Mackness entered the tea industry in 1996, joining Choice Organic Teas during the early years of the organic tea movement in the United States. With a technical background and responsibility for building manufacturing systems to support a rapidly growing business, he developed an understanding of tea from the production floor upward.

Over time, his interest expanded beyond manufacturing into sourcing, tasting, blending, and product development. What began as a focus on how tea was made became a lifelong study of tea itself: the influence of origin, season, cultivar, processing, and the countless small decisions that shape a finished cup.

Over the past three decades, James has worked across nearly every aspect of the tea trade. He has sourced teas from producing regions around the world, developed blends, built manufacturing programs, and supported brands ranging from small specialty companies to major commercial producers.

Saint Graal reflects the experience, relationships, and standards developed throughout that journey. Each tea is selected for one reason only: because it deserves to be there.