Student-made sparkling wine wins Best in Class at New York Wine Classic

The College and its alumni fared well at this year's statewide competition.

FLCC won the Best in Class award for pétillant naturel wine in the New York Wine Classic, an 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 finishes, giving the wine natural bubbles. 

The student-made winning pét-nat is a 2023 vintage bottled under the Fresca Leyenda label, which was developed by an FLCC graphic design student.

New York Wine Classic award winners were announced at a virtual event on July 17. The event is sponsored by the New York Wine and Grape Foundation.

All wines entered in the contest are scored on a scale to 100. 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.

The FLCC Viticulture and Wine Center off Pre-emption Road in Geneva is a licensed commercial winery. Student-made wines are available for purchase online and at local outlets, including Bottleland Wine and Spirits on William Street in Geneva.

Alumni contributions

Graduates of the College’s viticulture and wine technology program also enjoyed success in the New York Wine Classic. For example, Acquilano Wine Cellars, owned by alumnus Jim Acquilano ’23, earned gold medals for its 2022 Riesling, 2023 Forza, 2023 Chardonnay, and 2023 Blaufränkisch.

Other alumni at wineries that performed well include the following:

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 gold medals for its 2020 Blanc De Noirs, 2021 Brut, 2022 Cabernet Franc, 2023 Eugenia Dry Riesling, 2024 Gewürztraminer, and 2024 Sauvignon Blanc.

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. Its medals also included gold for its 2019 Sparkling Riesling, 2024 Estate Sauvignon Blanc, 2022 Limestone Springs Vineyard Dry Riesling, and 2022 Estate Dry Riesling.

Angie Lawler ’22 is assistant winemaker at Fox Run Vineyards, which earned gold for its 2024 Estate Semi-Dry Riesling, 2023 Silvan Riesling, 2022 Estate Lemberger, 2024 Dry Rosé, and several silver medals.

Tito Chavez ’20 is assistant winemaker at Anthony Road Wine Company, which earned gold for its 2022 Dry Riesling, 2022 Cabernet Franc, and 2023 Pinot Gris.

Emily Doi ’20 is assistant winemaker at Glenora Wine Cellars, which earned gold for its 2024 Dry Rose and 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as several silver medals.

Nathan Moore ’19 is the winemaker at Inspire Moore Winery & Vineyard, which earned gold for its 2024 Sparkling Cayuga White and several silver and bronze medals.

Jesse Alexander ’18 is the winemaker at Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars, which earned gold for its 2019 Sparkling Wine, 2022 Dry Riesling, among several other medals.

Rob Deignan ’12 is winemaker and Nick Brydels ’24 is cellar hand for Keuka Spring Vineyards, which earned gold medals for its 2021 Winemakers Reserve Blanc De Noirs Zweigelt, 2023 Cayuga White, 2023 Classic Cabernet Franc, 2023 Seneca Arrowhead Riesling, 2020 20 Rows Vineyard Dry Riesling, 2023 KLV Estate Methode Ancestrale Vignoles, 2023 Vignoles, 2023 Vista Ridge Riesling, among several other medals.

Matthew Butts ’22, 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 its 2023 Dry Riesling, 2023 Cabernet Franc, 2023 Blaufränkisch and 2023 Estate Dry Riesling.

Kelly Johnson ’23 is the assistant vineyard manager at Knapp Winery, which earned gold for its 2022 Cabernet Franc, 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2022 Select Cabernet Franc, and 2024 Siegerrebe, among other medals.

For information about the FLCC viticulture and wine technology degree and certificate programs, visit flcc.edu/viticulture.

Viticulture alumni: Help us build this list by filling out the Class Notes form for the Laker alumni magazine.