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Laura Winter Falk, Sommelier

Wine Tasting Experiences & Tours in Finger Lakes, NY and Beyond

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About Laura Winter Falk

Experience! The Finger Lakes co-owner, Laura Winter Falk is a Certified Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers. She also holds a level 3 award of wines from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), and a PhD in Food & Nutrition from Cornell University. Laura’s passion for wine and food started as an undergraduate at Cornell and she had the opportunity to take Introduction to Wines her second semester senior year. Little did she know at the time, that more than 30 years later she would be living in Ithaca and enjoying a career that celebrates the food and wine of the Finger Lakes, and its place in the world of wine.

Laura has been an educator her entire career, and finds her role as a sommelier is the perfect way to share her passion for learning and her love of wine, and her background in food and nutrition (there’s so much science in wine!). She is a regular contributing wine writer for Edible Finger Lakes Magazine and Vineyard Registry and has authored the Culinary History of the Finger Lakes: From the Three Sisters to Riesling, available through The Arcadia Press.

In 2014, she was offered a position as an Adjunct Professor of Wine within the Wine Marketing program at Tompkins Cortland Community. This brought her full circle by giving her the opportunity to help young students discover the world of wine, and become enamored the same way she did in that course at Cornell all those years ago.

About Laura Winter Falk

Experience! The Finger Lakes co-owner, Laura Winter Falk is a Certified Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers. She also holds a level 3 award of wines from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), and a PhD in Food & Nutrition from Cornell University. Laura’s passion for wine and food started as an undergraduate at Cornell and she had the opportunity to take Introduction to Wines her second semester senior year. Little did she know at the time, that more than 35 years later she would be living in Ithaca and enjoying a career that celebrates the food and wine of the Finger Lakes, and its place in the world of wine.

Laura has been an educator her entire career, and finds her role as a sommelier is the perfect way to share her passion for learning and her love of wine, and her background in food and nutrition (there’s so much science in wine!). She has performed public and private wine presentations throughout the eastern seaboard.  She is a regular contributing wine writer for Edible Finger Lakes Magazine and The Finger Lakes Wine Project, and has authored the Culinary History of the Finger Lakes: From the Three Sisters to Riesling, available through The Arcadia Press.

In 2014, she was offered a position as an Adjunct Professor of Wine within the Wine Marketing program at Tompkins Cortland Community. This brought her full circle by giving her the opportunity to help young students discover the world of wine, and become enamored the same way she did in that course at Cornell all those years ago.

a woman sitting at a table

Services

Top-Rated Finger Lakes Wine Experiences!

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Great Afternoon Private Tour

Laura took us to both a local cider and wine distillery tour of the Ithaca/Cayuga Lake region. We booked a private tour, party of five. Along the way, Laura provided regional history, engaging us in Q&A conversation, which made for interesting, smooth travel time. Tastings came with a small food pairings, which definitely enhanced our sips! We enjoyed the cidery and winery that Laura took us to, and appreciated her recommendations. Clearly, Laura loves her job and shares her passion with her guests. Overall, the trip was enjoyable and I would recommend!

– Lisa K. | Tripadvisor
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Loved It Virtual Experience

My husband and I did a virtual wine and cheese pairing via zoom. Laura explained all the basics and nuances of the Tres Colores wine, which included a white, a dry rose and a red. It was so fun to smell and taste the different fruits in each of the wines and to learn about the Finger Lakes wines. The cheese pairings amplified the taste of the wines and as Laura said it was “like a party in your mouth.” I would highly recommend the virtual wine tastings - everything arrived on time and in perfect condition. Next time I’m in Ithaca I would love to attend an in person wine tasting. I highly recommend Laura for her knowledge and fun loving personality!

– Dave D. | Tripadvisor
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Amazing Experience Chef-Somm Dinner

We had an amazing experience with Sommelier Laura and Chef Scott for a custom food and wine pairing dinner at our rented home in the finger lakes. They came to us creating a six course meal with six wines exquisitely prepared, served and described throughout the evening in our own kitchen and dining room. This event was the highlight of a fantastic weekend. The professionalism, care, knowledge and creativity blew us away. We highly recommend it!

– Maureen T. | Tripadvisor
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The Best Custom Tour

We were blown away by how amazing Laura was. She took us on a personalized wine tour to 3 quant and vibrant wineries and 1 cidery for lunch. I would, hands down, recommend this tour to anyone looking for a fun, enjoyable, customized tour that you not only get to drink great wine but learn about the process they use to make the wines and with Laura's expertise, what kinds of wine go best with your pallet. I have gone on several wine tours in Europe and at the end of this one, we all agreed that this was by far the best we have ever had!

– Janessa D. | Tripadvisor
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Wonderful Time Build Your Own Itinerary

Did a wine tour in Seneca Lake and had a wonderful time! Laura was a phenomenal guide full of history, knowledge and humor. All wineries were wonderful, although Bellangelo (Matt was our wonderful host) was our favorite. The tour, bus, and all wineries were very clean, safe and practiced social distancing while still keeping it fun. I would highly recommend any of the tours! This was my second tour and this one was even better than the last.

– Heather N. | Tripadvisor