Just
days before veraison, Heron Hill Winery on Keuka Lake has cut ties with
winemaker Thomas Laszlo. The Hungarian-born winemaker had been with the
operation since the summer of 2002.

The winery declined to explain the
decision.

"We're starting the search for a new
head winemaker immediately," explained marketing director Kitty Oliver.
When asked about the urgency with harvest approaching, Oliver said that
Heron Hill will not make any rash decisions. "We're going to be very
specific," she said. "We're looking for a world-class winemaker. We're
not going to do this fast; we're going to do this right."

Assistant winemaker Brian Barry will remain with Heron Hill, Oliver said. 

Laszlo
brought attention to Heron Hill's for the winery's highly regarded late
harvest wines. He recently directed the launch of Heron Hill's
Blaufrankisch, a red wine more commonly known as Lemberger.

With an
active wine blog and an expanding portfolio of bottlings, there was no
clear sign of an imminent departure.