FLCC Student’s Wine Shines with Best in Class Award at NY Competition

A student-produced sparkling wine from Finger Lakes Community College (FLCC) has achieved remarkable success at the 2025 New York Wine Classic, winning the Best in Class award in the pétillant naturel category. This award-winning wine, a 2023 vintage known as “Fresca Leyenda,” was made by students at the FLCC Viticulture and Wine Center in Geneva, with the label design also crafted by an FLCC graphic design student.

Pétillant naturel, or pét-nat, is a type of naturally sparkling wine that utilizes wild yeast and is bottled before the fermentation process is complete. This particular competition, organized by the New York Wine and Grape Foundation, evaluates wines on a 100-point scale.

In addition to the top honor, FLCC earned silver medals for its 2023 Blaufränkisch, Regent Rosé, and Vino Blanco White Blend. The event highlighted the achievements of FLCC alumni, including Jim Acquilano ’23, who secured four gold medals for his business, Acquilano Wine Cellars. Many graduates from the college’s viticulture and wine technology program are now employed at prestigious wineries such as Dr. Konstantin Frank, Ravines, Fox Run, Glenora, and Anthony Road, all of which also received gold and platinum awards.

For those interested, student-produced wines are available for purchase online and at local retailers like Bottleland Wine and Spirits in Geneva.

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