e College won a coveted Best in Class honor at the New York Wine Classic last summer, and wineries where alumni have key roles brought home dozens of medals. FLCC won the Best in Class award for pétillant naturel wine in the annual contest open to all New York state wineries. Pétillant naturel, or pét-nat, is a French term that means naturally sparkling. It uses wild yeast that grows on the grapes and is bottled before fermentation nishes, giving the wine natural bubbles. e student-made winning pét-nat is a 2023 vintage bottled under the Fresca Leyenda label, which was developed by Laura Lopez ’25 while she was a graphic design student. All wines entered in the contest are scored on a 100-point scale. Wines scoring between 80 and 84 earn a bronze medal, 85 to 89 earn silver, 90 to 95 earn gold, and 96 or higher, platinum. FLCC also received silver medals for the 2023 Blaufränkisch, Regent Rosé and Vino Blanco White Blend wines. THELAKER | 13 Graduates of the viticulture and wine technology program also enjoyed success in the New York Wine Classic: • Acquilano Wine Cellars, owned by alumnus Jim Acquilano ’23, earned four gold medals. • Brien Gardner ’16 is vineyard manager at Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery, which took Best Overall Riesling and Best Medium Sweet Riesling for its 2023 Reserve Riesling and six gold medals. • John Monnier ’17 is associate winemaker at Ravines Wine Cellars, which earned a platinum medal and Best Cabernet Franc for its 2022 Estate Cabernet Franc and four gold medals. • Angie Lawler ’22 is assistant winemaker at Fox Run Vineyards, which earned gold for its 2024 Estate Semi-Dry Riesling and three other wines. • Tito Chavez ’20 is the former assistant winemaker at Anthony Road Wine Company, which earned gold for three wines, including its 2022 Dry Riesling. (See class notes for an update on Tito.) • Emily Doi ’20 is assistant winemaker at Glenora Wine Cellars, which earned two gold medals, one for its 2024 Dry Rosé. • Nathan Moore ’19 is the winemaker at Inspire Moore Winery & Vineyard, which earned gold for its 2024 Sparkling Cayuga White. • Jesse Alexander ’18 is the winemaker at Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars, which earned gold for three wines, including its 2019 Sparkling Riesling. • Rob Deignan ’12 is associate winemaker and Nick Brydels ’24 is cellar hand for Keuka Spring Vineyards, which earned eight gold medals, including one for its 2021 Winemakers Reserve Blanc De Noirs Zweigelt. • Matthew Butts ’22, now winemaker at Poplar Wine Co., previously worked at Tabora Farm & Winery, which earned gold for its 2023 Estate Dry Riesling. • Wes Andrews ’20 is head winemaker at Atwater Vineyards, which earned silver medals for four of its wines. • Kelly Johnson ’23 is the assistant vineyard manager at Knapp Winery, which earned gold for four wines. Students, alumni enjoy success at New York Wine Classic WHERE TO BUY FLCC WINE The FLCC Viticulture and Wine Center off Pre-Emption Road in Geneva is a licensed commercial winery. Student-made wines are available at Ryan’s Wine and Spirits in Canandaigua and Bottleland Wine and Spirits and Pedulla’s Wine and Liquor in Geneva. To order online, visit flcc.edu/viticulture-center and scroll down to “Buy Student-Made Wines.”
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