Complex scenario without knowing the participants and the situation.
You can have an unyielding winemaker who refuses to compromise vs an owner who is like minded. Oak is a matter of profile. Grapes? Well sh.t is sh.t. Again we come back to producing a product to a price point.
I don't think the situation you raise was as simple as choice of oak. Perhaps a catalyst?
Myself, it would depend on the specific issues. I left one winery due to irreconcilable differences but have forged success through cooperation at my current workplace
