By Evan Dawson, Finger Lakes Editor 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…
Posts Written OnAugust 11, 2009
Palmer Vineyards 2006 Proprietor’s Reserve Cabernet Franc
By Lenn Thompson, Founder and Editor-in-Chief Miguel Martin, the Spanish-born winemaker who joined Palmer Vineyards just in time for the 2006 harvest, has already impressed with what he's done with the winery's white wine program, especially sauvignon blanc and blended whites. Those wines, of course, go from field to glass much more quickly than do reds. We've had to wait a big longer for those, but one of Martin's first reds, Palmer Vineyards 2006 Proprietor's Reserve Cabernet Franc ($25), impressed in a tasting earlier this week. 2006 wasn't a great year for reds on the North Fork. It was cooler…
A Surprising Second Label at Shaw Vineyard
By Jason Feulner, Finger Lakes Correspondent (Note: this story is part one of a two-part series highlighting some unique production choices at Shaw Vineyard.) Wineries that produce a second label do so for many reasons, although the secondary nature of the label almost assuredly implies less-expensive, less-focused wine. Some top-flight establishments offer a second label that is still a solid wine by almost any standard, although many wineries throw whatever they can into a bottle and call it a day, often not focusing on quality in the process. On a recent tasting at Shaw Vineyard I encountered this pinot grigio, a part of their second-label…
What We Drank (8/11/09)
Once again, no New York wines in this lot. This week we have Italy, France, California, Portugal and Australia represented. Never let it be said that we don't drink a wide array of wines from around the world. Bryan Calandelli: Vallarom Vallagarina Merlot 'Vigneto Belvedere' 2007 Northern Italian wines are always tempting and this Vallarom Vallagarina Merlot looked interesting especially after I noticed the importer is local to western New York. Portovino Buffalo, NY specializes in small batch unique offerings from all over Italy. Many of these include red blends that throw indigenous grapes into the mix. This is actually a…