Geneva, NY – June 1, 2024 — On April 3rd, 2024, the Finger Lakes Wine Alliance convened a group of member wineries for a blind tasting and discussion about the 2023 vintage, adding to a collection of over a dozen years of vintage reports published on their website. The gathering offered a look-back on an undeniably unique growing season, punctuated by the frost of May 18, 2023 which felt devastating to the region at the time.
“Tasking regional leaders to discuss the past growing season and resulting wines provides a unique community perspective on a vintage,” says Kyle Anne Pallischeck, Executive Director of the Finger Lakes Wine Alliance. “As the resource and champion for regional perspectives, the Finger Lakes Wine Alliance greatly values the participation of our member wineries in worthwhile pursuits like this. Vintage reports are utilized by the wine trade worldwide to develop greater understanding and appreciation of our cool-climate wines.”
Local writer and educator Maiah Johnson Dunn appreciated the candid conversation, allowing her to create a synopsis of a year filled with historic circumstances. “The more challenging our growing season, the more ingenuity seen in the vineyards and cellar,” she says. “The result has proven to be nuanced, beautiful wines full of Finger Lakes heart.”
The event was produced by Pallischeck and Sarah Tuttle of the Finger Lakes Wine Alliance and sponsored by Vance Metal. Retired winemaker and consultant Peter Bell led an illuminating conversation with the group, which included regional vineyardists, winemakers, and researchers. From the discussion and annual reporting from Cornell Cooperative Extension, Dunn generated the resulting vintage report.
To read the full report, visit www.fingerlakeswinealliance.com/trade/vintage-reports/
About the Finger Lakes Wine Alliance
Founded in 2004, Finger Lakes Wine Alliance is a not-for-profit corporation whose mission is to increase the visibility and prominence of the Finger Lakes region, its wineries, and wines. The FLWA strives to be the preeminent voice and champion for the region on a global scale. Our wineries are recognized as leaders in the industry dedicated to moving the wine region forward, together.
