Posts Tagged“heron hill winery”

Heron Hill Winery 2009 Ingle Vineyard Unoaked Chardonnay

The portfolio at Heron Hill Winery varies greatly from top to bottom — but the Ingle Vineyard wines, made with grapes grown in owner John Ingle’s vineyard, offer dependable value. The Heron Hill Winery 2009 Ingle Vineyard Unoaked Chardonnay ($20) is a balanced, expressive wine with aromas of lemongrass, grapefruit, lemon, green apple and just a hint of honeydew melon rind. Medium bodied and showing tremendous focus, the palate is citrusy with a lemongrass edge and a light floral characteristic. The acidity is almost crunchy and well-integrated, lengthening the finish, which is tinged with apples and lemon zest. Producer: Heron Hill Winery…

A Trip to the West Side (of Keuka Lake)

Well, I’m once again the midst of my annual month-long break from alcohol –– but that doesn’t mean I can’t still enjoy a trip to Finger Lakes wine country. In need of a road trip and eager to take advantage of Wednesday’s lovely weather, I hopped in the car and headed to Keuka Lake for a long overdue visit. (Note: to the tasting room servers’ credit, I didn’t get a single stare or snide comment when I asked for a spit bucket, which I’ve heard can be a problem at many wineries. I thus managed to taste responsibly and maintain my detox.)…

Heron Hill Winery 2008 Blaufrankisch

By Lenn Thompson, Executive Editor Though on the oakier — and pricier — end of the Finger Lakes Blaufrankisch spectrum, the Heron Hill Winery 2008 Blaufrankisch ($35) is worthy of a taste when you visit their tasting room with stunning views of Keuka Lake. Not content making a juicy, fruity, peppery wine, the folks at Heron Hill always push the envelope with this grape. At first, the nose seems like it will be dominated by chocolate and smoky oak, but those aromas don't completely obscure those of red cherry, cranberry, black pepper, clove, tarragon and mint. Hefty on the palate,…

Heron Hill Winery 2008 Ingle Vineyard Cabernet Franc

By Lenn Thompson, Executive Editor The image of Finger Lakes red wines as typically underwhelming — especially compared to the regions often outstanding white wines — has begun to evolve in recent years — mostly thanks to two warm vintages (2005 and 2007) and a handful of producers really pushing the quality envelope. The region is getting its due for its red wines too now — at least here and there. Here's a wine from the more "normal" 2008 vintage that further proves how silly it is to generalize when it comes to wine. Heron Hill Winery 2008 Cabernet Franc…

Heron Hill Hires New Winemaker: Bernard Cannac

Heron Hill's new winemaker, Bernard Cannac, working with just-picked pinot noir last week. By Evan Dawson, Finger Lakes Editor Photos courtesy of Heron Hill Winery Just in time for the riesling rush of harvest, Heron Hill Winery on Keuka Lake has hired a new head winemaker. After an arduous search process, Bernard Cannac of France has landed the job and will arrive Friday to begin work.  Cannac is a native of the Languedoc region of France, but has spent recent years consulting and making wine on Long Island. The 36-year old arrives in the region with his wife, and according…

Finger Lakes Wineries Stomach Up-Front Costs, Add Food and Restaurants

By Evan Dawson, Finger Lakes EditorPhotos by Morgan Dawson Photography Most restaurants do not have to endure the uncertainty of a zealous owner who might show up at any moment with a truckload of summer vegetables, picked only hours before. At the Blue Heron Cafe they're getting used to it. "It's pretty entertaining, actually," says Heron Hill Winery's marketing director Kitty Oliver over a plate of the mahgarita flatbread pizza. "(Owner) John Ingle is so excited this time of year. He might drive in with a load of corn and say, 'Here you go!' And the staff finds a way…

BREAKING NEWS: Heron Hill Cuts Ties With Winemaker Thomas Laszlo, Begins Search

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…

Heron Hill Winery 2005 Riesling Reserve

Nena and I both love riesling, but not always the same ones. When we visited the Finger Lakes last spring, our differing preferences arose at nearly every winery stop — if the winery had more than one riesling. For the most part, I preferred (and prefer) the drier, more minerally styles and she preferred the semi- and off-dry wines. It isn't so much about the sweetness, but she prefers the richer fruit flavors — the peach, tropical fruit, etc. And we both want riesling with racy acidity. That brings us to this wine, Heron Hill Winey's 2005 Riesling Reserve ($30).…