**PRESS RELEASE**

Hector, NY — Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards in Hector, NY is pulling out all of the stops during its “Giving Back” weekend on December 11^th and 12^th to raise awareness and funds for Seneca Santa and the Humane Society of Schuyler County. The winery will be collecting cash donations and “Wish List” gifts for the Humane Society and donating a portion of sales that weekend to both charities.

“Giving Back” weekend is part of the larger “Hazlitt Holiday Mash-Up!” celebration, a series of 5 consecutive weekends of holiday-themed events. Those festivities began November 20^th and will run both Saturdays and Sundays through December 19^th.

“This is a great opportunity for us to make a difference for underprivileged kids through Seneca Santa and improve the welfare of animals in Schuyler County through the Humane Society,” said Leigh Hazlitt Triner, Co-CEO. She added “ If we can make it easy for people to support these organizations, we’re happy to do so. Both organizations do incredibly beneficial work that’s even more important during the holidays and throughout the winter.

Each weekend of Hazlitt Holiday Mash-Up! the winery and its grounds will be transformed into a magical holiday wonderland. Guests are invited to come dressed to impress to match the weekend’s theme. These include “A Caribbean Christmas”, “Now, That Was a Great Christmas Movie”, “The Uglier the Sweater, the Better”, “It’s a North Pole Fashion Show” and, finally, “Haz-LITT Up!”

There will be a lot to see and experience. Among other things, the fun and festivities include weekly prize drawings for people who come in costume, live music each Saturday in the Oasis, and selfie photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus the first two weekends of December. Along with wine/cider flights, there will be plenty of holiday-themed cocktails and food selections including the world-famous Hazlitt French Onion Soup.

To view the Humane Society of Schuyler County’s “Wish List” go to schuylerhumane.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/2018-11-08-Wish-List.pdf or call them directly at (607) 594-2255. For more information on th events visit Hazlitt1852.com/events or call the winery directly at 607-546-9463.

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About Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards

The Hazlitt family has been growing superb grapes on the eastern shore of Seneca Lake, NY for over 150 years. Established in 1984, Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards continues the family tradition of award-winning viticulture and wine production. In 2010, Hazlitt Red Cat Cellars was founded when the Hazlitt family purchased the 3+ million gallon Widmer Wine Cellars in Naples, New York from Constellation Brands. 

The family’s internationally renowned wines include Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, and Cabernet Franc. Most notably, Hazlitt is infamous for its Red Cat, White Cat, and Cabin Fever – some of the most popular and best-selling New York State wines. For more information, please visit Hazlit1852.com.

About the Humane Society of Schuyler County

The Humane Society of Schuyler County is a limited admission, no-kill shelter. Incorporated in 1987, it is the only full-service animal welfare organization serving the needs of the county. The Humane Society provides shelter for stray and surrendered animals, offers animals for adoption, provides a low-cost spay/neuter program, delivers educational resources, and manages programs to help area residents care for their pets. Its mission is to provide safe, loving care and a comfortable environment for every animal and hold the highest possible standards, and work to ensure that the needs of each dog or cat are met on a daily basis.

The Humane Society of Schuyler County is a 501c3 not-for-profit corporation dedicated to advancing animal welfare in our community.

About Seneca Santa

Seneca Santa, a not-for-profit organization, was founded by a group of Watkins Glen businessmen in the 1940s to provide Christmas gifts for Schuyler County’s underprivileged children ranging in age from birth to 12.  Seneca Santa accepts donations of money, hats, mittens, coloring books & crayons, family board games, and children’s books. Monies raised are used to provide an age-appropriate toy along with fruit, holiday snacks, and the previously mentioned gifts.

 

**PRESS RELEASE**

November 18, 2021

Hector, NY — Daniel DeBell and Marc Hurlbut have been named to leadership positions at Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards. DeBell has been promoted to President and COO and Hurlbut to Chief Financial Officer. John Keeler, who served as President starting in 2009 announced his retirement earlier this year. He will continue to serve during the transition.

“We are very excited to make this announcement.” Leigh Triner, Co-CEO said. “John has served the company well and led us through the transition from a small regional winery into a significant East Coast producer.” “We wish him the best as he moves into a well-deserved retirement.”  Doug Hazlitt, Leigh’s brother and Co-CEO added, “With Dan and Marc leading the way, we are in very capable hands to move this company forward to even greater success.” Hazlitt went on, “I’m sure John will keep busy in retirement. There are plenty of fishing holes that need attention!”

Before joining the Hazlitt team in 2011, Daniel DeBell worked for nineteen years at the Goodrich Corporation, IRS Systems in Ithaca, NY. The management, negotiation, and problem-solving skills he utilized there as General Manager has translated seamlessly into the wine business. Initially hired as General Manager, Daniel was promoted to Executive Vice President in 2015.

Marc Hurlbut was hired as Controller in February 2021. His 30 years of finance experience in the manufacturing industry quickly benefited financial operations at Hazitt’s two production facilities and retail locations in Hector, NY, and Naples, NY as well as the company’s custom wine production business, East Coast Crush & Co-Pack. Before working at Hazlitt, Marc was the Executive V.P. Finance Administration at SYNTEC Optics, Wordingham Technologies in Rochester, NY.

John Keeler joined Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards as company President in February 2009. During his tenure, Hazlitt acquired Widmer Wine Cellars from Constellation Brands and founded East Coast Crush & Co-Pack. Before Hazlitt, he was Co-CEO at Monarch Machine Tool in Cortland, NY.

“John Keeler will be missed.” Daniel DeBell emphasized. “He’s been a great mentor and team leader. He laid the groundwork over the past 12 years that will allow Marc and I to really step up, take the reins, and drive the business forward.”

DeBell continued, “The industry is changing. It is evolving very rapidly. There are abundant challenges at every turn right now. From COVID and supply chain issues to staffing shortages.”  “The Hazlitt family has been proactive and visionary. They have assembled a team, from top to bottom, that is configured for success.”

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About Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards & Hazlitt Red Cat Cellars

The Hazlitt family has been growing superb grapes on the eastern shore of Seneca Lake, NY for over 150 years. Established in 1984, Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards continues the family tradition of award-winning viticulture and wine production. In 2010, Hazlitt Red Cat Cellars was founded when the Hazlitt family purchased the 3+ million gallon Widmer Wine Cellars in Naples, New York from Constellation Brands. 

The family’s internationally renowned wines include Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, and Cabernet Franc. Most notably, Hazlitt is infamous for its Red Cat, White Cat, and Cabin Fever – some of the most popular and best-selling New York State wines. For more information, please visit Hazlit1852.com.

 

About East Coast Crush

East Coast Crush & Co-Pack (EC3) was founded in 2011 to take advantage of excess production space at Hazlitt Red Cat Cellars. EC3 is a custom service beverage production company that works with customers regionally, nationally, and globally. The company also imports, produces and packages wines for US distribution for customers throughout the world. EC3 specializes in the production and packaging of controlled beverages including wine, cider, seltzer, and other spirits.