Canandaigua, N.Y. — Our Bright Spot shines on a toast to success.
Finger Lakes Community College students won big at this year’s New York Wine Classic, taking home the Best in Class award for their pétillant naturel wine.
The student-made 2023 sparkling wine is bottled under the Fresca Leyenda label, which was developed by an FLCC graphic design student.
The college also received silver medals for its 2023 Blaufränkisch, Regent Rosé and Vino Blanco White Blend wines.
MORE: New York Wine Classic honors Finger Lakes winery Weis Vineyards
Additionally, 2023 graduate Jim Acquilano, who owns Acquilano Wine Cellars in Canandaigua, earned gold medals for varieties of his winery’s riesling, forza, chardonnay and Blaufränkisch.
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 earn platinum.
Other FLCC alumnus who took home awards at the event include:
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.
_____