For now, this qualifies for the "strong rumor" folder, but I've heard that Jim Silver, senior vice president of sales and marketing at Bedell Cellars, will be leaving soon to take over as the new general manager at Peconic Bay Winery.

Jean Partridge, currently Bedell's wholesale account executive, will become the VP of sales and owner Michael Lynne's son, Jonathan Lynne will join the team as Executive VP of Sales.

Peconic Bay Winery's current GM, Matt Gillies, is leaving on "great terms" and is planning his new future "quite enthusiastically." Matt brings a wide array of winery and vineyard experience to the table, so I have no doubt that he'll find himself back in the game very quickly. In an email, he told me that "A little more time for life is going to be the most appreciated element in my departure — that's for sure."

Jim, who I met for the first time in person a couple weeks ago, has vast experience in selling wine, both as a sommelier and from the winery side. He's a man with great ideas for the region and where Long Island needs to go. I think he'll be good for Peconic Bay Winery as it looks to its future.