History of Wine in the Finger Lakes
Join Certified Sommelier, Laura Winter Falk, PhD, WSET 3, owner of "Experience! The Finger Lakes" in a 4-week series of that will deep dive into the varietals and styles of wines of the Finger Lakes region’s 163 years of winemaking. Each week Laura will present a flight of 6 wines that represent an important part of the Finger Lakes wine story. Dive deep into the history behind each of the wines, as well as their varietal characteristics and winemaking styles. By the end of this series, you will not only have a new appreciation of the journey of the Finger Lakes wine industry, but you will gain a deeper understanding of varietal characteristics, different winemaking styles, and the region’s place in the world of wine.
4-Week Series Cost: $450.00
Weekly Series Agenda:
Sparkling Wine - Cost $120.00
Wednesday, September 30th, 2026 from 5:30pm - 7pm
From "American Champagne” to Trending Pet Nats, Finger Lakes bubbly has long been
an important part of fabric of the region’s winemaking. Discover the history of sparkling
wine in the Finger lakes, and learn about the different winemaking styles of sparkling
wines.
~ Great Western Champagne
~ Methode Champanois (traditional varietals)
~ Traditional Method Riesling
~ Charmat
~ Pet Nat
~ Carbonated
Hybrid Varietals - Cost $120.00
Wednesday, October 28th, 2026 from 5:30pm - 7pm
No longer just your grandmother’s favorite wine, the Finger Lakes has come a long
way in its use of these very important varietals, from its original debut in the Finger
Lakes in the 1950s. Today the region’s winemakers are creating wines that are all
at once dynamic, sustainable and affordable
~ Cayuga White
~ Traminette
~ Vignoles
~ Vidal
~ Baco Noir'
~ Aravelle
The Rise of Vinifera: Riesling & Cabernet Franc - Cost $120.00
Wednesday, November 18th, 2026 from 5:30pm - 7pm
In the late 1950’s Dr. Konstantin Frank arrived in the Finger Lakes determined to
demonstrate how beautiful wines from the classic european species of grapes - Vitis
vinifera can grow and thrive in the region. Similarly Hermann Wiemer, a winemaker
from the Mosel region in Germany, saw the similarities between the Finger Lakes and
his home country and knew that he could make world-class Rieslings in the Finger Lakes.
~ Three variations of Riesling
~ Three variations of Cabernet Franc
Emerging Varietals and Styles - Cost $120.00
Wednesday, December 9th, 2026 from 5:30pm - 7pm
The 2020s have shown that wine enthusiasts are eager to open their minds and palates
to new varietals and styles of wines. The Finger Lakes cool climate and adventurous
winemakers is showing to be an ideal “terroir" for the creating the fresher, lower
alcohol and sustainable wines with a story that today's wine drinkers are seeking.
~ Three emerging varietals and styles of white wines
~ Three emerging varietals and styles of red wines
Cost: $120.00 per session OR $450.00 for the Series
Location:
CCC Health Education Center
132 Denison Parkway, East
Corning, New York 14830
Room: HEC Kitchen
Cancellations with less than 3 days notice or failure to attend (No Shows) the first day of class will not qualify for a refund or reduction of charges.
Students may cancel 3 days or more prior to the day of class and receive a full refund. We solidify dates with instructors 3 days prior to the start of the class (or reschedule/cancel) and it is dependent upon enrollment. Cancellations with less than 3 days notice can not be refunded). Notification maybe done by phone to the Office of Workforce Education (607-936-5501) or email to ilearn@corning-cc.edu
Businesses in Chemung, Schuyler and Steuben interested in seeking funding to send promising leaders from their organizations to this training should contact CSS Workforce NY at 607-937-8337.
SUNY Corning Community College is committed to ensuring equal access to students with disabilities. If you believe that you will need accommodations while taking this course, please contact Accessibility Services by phone 607-962-9262 or email Accessibility@corning-cc.edu to begin the process of requesting accommodations. We strive to coordinate accommodations in a timely manner, but some accommodations may not be available when you need them if you do not give timely notice.