Thomas Laszlo 

Winemaker / Viticulturist and Wine Educator

I was born, raised, and educated in Guelph, Ontario. Upon completion of my Diploma in Farm Management from the University of Guelph in 1993 I accepted a position at Henry of Pelham Estate Winery as Assistant Winemaker. After three vintages on the “Bench” I traveled half way across the world to my parent’s homeland, Hungary. From 1997 through to the end of the 2001 vintage I held the position of Technical Director of Chateaux Pajzos and Megyer, two of the top producers of Hungary’s famous Tokaji Aszú. Upon my departure from Hungary I spent a brief time in Ontario consulting. By the 2002 vintage once again I found myself abroad. This time as Head Winemaker at Heron Hill Winery located in the Finger Lakes region of New York State. During my eight years there I focused on cool climate varieties with a special emphasis on producing several styles of outstanding Riesling that garnered praise and attention by the world’s top wine critics.

My crowning achievement was attaining a perfect score of 100 points for my 1999 Chateau Pajzos Tokaji Esszencia  from the world’s most influential wine critic, Robert Parker Jr. Usually scores in the high 90s are reserved for Blue Chip Bordeaux wines in the $1000 per bottle range. Currently, I am the only Winemaker in Canada that has a 100 point score from Parker.

After thirteen years out of country, my family and I decided to come back home to Niagara in 2010. Since returning to Ontario I have worked with Daniel Lenko, Mike Weir (new facility) and then Stonechurch / Small Talk vineyards. The past five vintages have reacquainted me with the different styles of wine being made in Niagara. Currently, I am the Head Winemaker on a part time basis for Gallucci Winery located north of Toronto. as well as the consulting Winemaker for Bent Ridge Winery in Windsor, Nova Scotia.

1999 Tokaji Esszencia "Circa the year 2250, when the earth is a nuclear wasteland, a bottle of the Pajzos 1999 Esszencia will be unearthed and this fabled Tokaji will intoxicate them as much as it did me  in a long-forgotten age. You won't taste anything like it all year. Drink now - 2150+"      - Robert Parker Jr. - Wine Advocate.