Experiential Engagement for Sector Growth

Provides certification training for food and beverage professionals, including WSET Level 1 and Level 2 Awards in Wines, ServSafe, and TIPS programs, to build expertise in wine knowledge and safe service practices.

Offers private hands-on cooking classes, wine and craft beverage tastings, team-building sessions, happy hours, meetings, retreats, and other gatherings in a flexible event space. Also provides expertly curated tastings and culinary programming for corporate and nonprofit groups.

Manages a four-season public garden with native plants, herbs, and apple trees designed to support pollinators and promote healthy ecosystems as part of its educational and sustainability mission.

Runs a restaurant serving comfort food made with New York State-sourced ingredients, including cheese and beef, and operates a market offering hot and cold lunch options, New York-made food products, beverages, snacks, and specialty gifts at the Finger Lakes Welcome Center.

Operates a tasting room featuring 100% New York State products, including rotating selections of over 60 wines and 10 taps of craft beer, cider, spirits, and non-alcoholic beverages, available for on-site consumption and take-home purchase in growlers or bottles. The tasting room is open year-round with seasonal outdoor seating on a terrace during warmer months.

Offers hands-on cooking and beverage classes for participants of all ages and skill levels, including culinary demonstrations, cocktail education, and craft beverage appreciation, led by professional chefs and instructors. Programs include comfort food preparation using New York State-sourced ingredients and are available year-round.

Provides hands-on culinary education for youth aged 12–18 through the Junior Chef program, including summer camps and school-based programming, with a focus on underserved communities in Upstate NY and the Finger Lakes region. Approximately half of participants are engaged through community-based nonprofit partners.

Produces and distributes the Vino Visa Coupon Book with tasting and purchase incentives, publishes seasonal wine pairing guides (e.g., Thanksgiving, Easter), and offers digital recipe collections to enhance visitor engagement and support member wineries.

Hosts recurring events such as Sips & Spells (fall), Jingle & Mingle (holiday), Valentine’s-themed pairings, bacon and spicy food pairings, and teacher appreciation tastings, offering souvenirs, multiple tastings, and curated experiences at member wineries.

Co-hosts the monthly 'Wine Wednesday' podcast with FingerLakes1.com and produces special edition wines with cause-related messaging, such as a dry rosé in partnership with Hope for Heather to raise awareness about ovarian cancer.

Provides downloadable brochures, maps, winery information, and local amenities to guide visitors exploring the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail, helping them select from over 130 Finger Lakes wineries for a personalized touring experience.

Offers curated information on accommodations, local attractions, and partner packages to help visitors plan comprehensive trips along the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail, enhancing tourism experiences through local expertise.

Assisted in securing the Cayuga Lake American Viticultural Area (AVA) designation in 1987 and promotes member wineries whose wines have earned over 6,000 national and international medals, enhancing regional credibility and visibility.

Engages in promoting, fostering, managing, advertising, and publicizing the Long Island wine industry, including providing public education about wine and the region.

Provides school supplies, educational materials, and financial support to schools in South Africa’s agricultural regions, particularly in the Cape Winelands, including sustainability and seed planting initiatives. The organization has supplied books and furniture to schools in post-apartheid South Africa.

Supported the development of schools on grape farms and facilitated educational exchange programs between U.S. universities and educators in post-apartheid South Africa to promote academic and cross-cultural collaboration.

Operated the Wine-for-Literacy program, which repurposed empty wine shipping containers to transport books, furniture, and educational materials to schools in South Africa’s Cape Winelands.

Hosts gatherings at restaurants to promote and educate attendees about authentic Champagne wines from the Champagne region of France, combining cultural appreciation with sensory experience.