GENEVA, NY – May 22, 2025 — The Finger Lakes Wine Alliance, premier marketing association for wines in the region, proudly announces the successful completion of the 10th annual FLX Riesling Camp, a flagship educational immersion held in the Finger Lakes American Viticultural Area (AVA). This year’s milestone gathering brought together 24 media and trade professionals for three dynamic days of in-depth tastings, vineyard exploration, collaborative learning, and hands-on blending trials.
Since its debut in 2016, FLX Riesling Camp has become the region’s most influential trade education experience, designed to cultivate passionate advocates for Finger Lakes wines – especially Riesling, the region’s hallmark varietal. Each year, the program evolves to reflect current industry needs while preserving its core mission: to elevate the Finger Lakes AVA through strategic trade and media engagement.
“The Finger Lakes, while a smaller AVA, is a compelling and evolving region worthy of serious study,” shared camper Lexie Iglesia. “This goes beyond just wine styles – it’s about resilience, experimentation, vision, and collective commitment to excellence.”
This year’s program welcomed participants from across the U.S., including three travel award recipients whose participation was sponsored by FLWA for the second consecutive year. The travel award program supports FLWA’s commitment to prioritizing underrepresented communities in the industry, ensuring broader access to the region’s professional development opportunities. In a significant step toward greater inclusivity, the FLWA also welcomed two American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters, based out of Rochester, NY, to provide interpreting services for a Deaf camper – reinforcing the organization’s dedication to accessibility and equitable learning experiences.
Twenty-three premier Finger Lakes producers participated in the 2025 Camp, offering attendees an insider look at the region’s winemaking philosophies and terroir through a curated itinerary of vineyard walks, panel tastings, and marketing roundtables. For the full list of participating wineries and campers, visit: https://fingerlakeswinealliance.com/events/riesling-camp/.
Signature Programming and a Champion Crowned
Each year, the Camp centers around FLWA’s signature Blending Trial – a hands-on session that underscores how Riesling, while a single varietal, is the result of artistic precision and technical mastery. Campers compete to craft the best blend from different tank samples, culminating in a peer-selected “Blending Trial Champion.”
This year, the top five blends were all created by female campers, with Sara Jimenez of Spring Hill,
TN, celebrated by her peers for taking top honors.
“This program epitomizes what makes the Finger Lakes AVA so special: collaboration, curiosity, and a willingness to push boundaries,” said Meaghan Frank, 2025 Chair of the FLWA Board of Directors. “The
energy and insights our campers bring year after year inspire us to keep growing and refining the program.”
New in 2025 were roundtable sessions focused on market strategy, positioning Finger Lakes wines within national and international trends. The week concluded with each camper completing a Riesling Camp Pledge – a personal action plan outlining how they will advocate for FLX wines in their home markets and networks.
“The 10th execution of FLX Riesling Camp was a celebration of our region’s growth and the people who believe in its future,” said Kyle Anne Pallischeck, Executive Director of the FLWA. “Every camper becomes a lifelong ambassador for the Finger Lakes, and we are honored to be a part of their journey.”
As the Finger Lakes continues to gain recognition as North America’s premier cool-climate wine region, FLX Riesling Camp remains a cornerstone of the FLWA’s strategy to build a professional, knowledgeable, and passionate network of trade champions.