Student winemakers shake things up with a bubbly pét-nat

The new variety is available in a Geneva wine shop.

Second-year students in the College’s Viticulture and Wine Technology program unveiled their 2024 Astrae Via wines this spring, marking the culmination of their hands-on winemaking education. 

The wines, crafted during the 2024 harvest and bottled this spring, include a Polaris red, Polaris white, riesling, and a sparkling wine called a pét-nat, short for pétillant naturel, a French term that means naturally sparkling. 

The pét-nat uses wild yeast that grows on the grapes and is bottled before fermentation finishes, giving the wine natural bubbles. 

“Traditionally sparkling wine is more of a dessert wine, but the pét-nat can go well with anything,” said student Gerald “Jerry” Decker of Farmington. 

“You can drink it on its own, with a meal, or even after a meal. It was a very versatile wine that we made.” 

From left: Rachel Wolfanger; Paul Brock, associate professor; Samuel Rocha; Amanda Mott; and Makayla Ryder serve an event attendee at the unveiling on May 15. Along with Jerry, this year’s student winemakers included Amanda Mott of Palmyra, Samuel Rocha of Naples, Makayla Ryder of Canandaigua, Rachel Wolfanger of Geneva and Matthew Saunds of Dobbs Ferry, Westchester County. 

They harvested, crushed, and created juice from the grapes. After settling the juice, they inoculated with yeast before fermenting. First-year students in the program assisted with all harvests and participated in the pét-nat crush.  

"You learn all the aspects of winemaking and the wine business,” Jerry said. “Sometimes you felt like a student and sometimes you felt like a worker. It was a unique experience that I enjoyed.”  

The viticulture students also worked with local partners, including Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Finger Lakes Grape Program (FLGP). Both FLCC’s Viticulture and Wine Technology Program and FLGP jointly manage the Finger Lakes Teaching and Demonstration Vineyard at Anthony Road Wine Company, a vineyard donated to support the educational efforts of both programs.  

Astrae Via design 

The wine bottles feature the Astrae Via label, a design created by Alexis Ecker, a second-year graphic design student who participated in the fall 2024 wine label design competition. 

Alexis’ design was one of 17 in the competition. A final vote was done by the second-year student winemakers to determine their preferred label, an ongoing tradition for the graduating class. 

The name, Latin for “the way of the stars,” aligns with Alexis’ design that drew inspiration from sacred geometry and navigation motifs to reflect the students’ journey through the art and science of winemaking.  

“It was exciting to see the design that I created on the bottles. The gold foil stamps helped elevate the design and represent the product,” she said. 

Community unveiling 

On May 15, the Viticulture and Wine Center hosted an unveiling for the College community, students’ families, and program supporters. Student winemakers served their 2024 vintage and discussed them with attendees. 

“We came into the event with flavor notes and ideas of what we thought about the wine, but then we were given different perspectives that opened up a whole new view on things,” said Sam. “It felt humbling and was a great event to be a part of.” 

Amanda Mott serving an attendee at the unveiling on May 15. During the reception, Gina Lee, coordinator of the program, and Paul Brock, associate professor, shared remarks and commended the students for their hard work and dedication. They also congratulated the second-year students on completing the program.  

Many graduates have already taken on new roles in the wine industry, including Jerry, who works locally for Three Brothers Winery, and Sam, who will travel to Napa, Calif., for a winemaking role in the fall 2025 harvest. He is also finalizing plans for an opportunity at a winery in New Zealand in 2026.  

Where to purchase 

The Viticulture and Wine Center is a licensed commercial winery. Student-made wines are available for purchase online. Bottleland Wine and Spirits on William Street in Geneva carry the Polaris red and pét-nat for purchase. 

Additional College vintages are available at Ryan’s Wine and Spirits in Canandaigua and Pedulla’s Wine and Liquor in Geneva.  

FLCC alumni are invited to attend the Alumni Wine Tasting on Thursday, July 10, and encouraged to RSVP using the online form. Various student-made wines will be available for purchase at the event.