FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 12, 2021

FINGER LAKES WINE ALLIANCE NAMES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Board of Directors

Liz Stamp, Chair GENEVA, NY – January 12, 2021 -- The Wine Alliance, premier marketing Lakewood association for wines in the region, announced today the appointment of Kyle Anne Dave Pittard, Vice Chair Pallischeck as its new Executive Director. Pallischeck will lead the organization’s efforts Buttonwood Grove Winery in raising the visibility and reputation of the Finger Lakes AVA, its wines and wineries. Kim Aliperti, Secretary Billsboro Winery A Finger Lakes native with 10 years committed to the local wine industry, Pallischeck brings longtime local winery experience to the Wine Alliance. “Kyle’s extensive Gene Pierce, Treasurer experience in and enthusiasm for the Finger Lakes region, it’s wines and wine Glenora Wine Cellars producers will surely help the Wine Alliance continue its successful marketing efforts,” Bruce Murray, Past Chair said Liz Stamp, Partner at Lakewood Vineyards and Board Chair for the Finger Lakes Boundary Breaks Wine Alliance. “She will be able to bring new ideas and programs to member wineries, Shannon Brock and we look forward to working with her to increase awareness of the fine wines Silver Thread Vineyard produced in the Finger Lakes.” Michael Eighmey Anthony Road Wine Company Most recently Pallischeck was Brand Manager at Sheldrake Point Winery on Cayuga

Amanda Fitzgerald Lake, and has previous experience at both the Wine Trail and Fox Run Swedish Hill Vineyard & Winery Vineyards on Seneca Lake. She has earned her Sommelier Certification via the Court of

Meaghan Frank Master Sommeliers, and holds the WSET 3 Advanced Certificate from the Wine & Spirits Dr. Winery Education Trust of London.

Suzanne Hunt “I have experienced firsthand the strength of the programming and outreach of the Alliance,” said Pallischeck, “and I am enthusiastic about the years ahead with this John Wagner dynamic organization. To work with such a wide range of premium wines and Wagner Vineyards producers is a singular opportunity, and I look forward to building on the successes of Mark Wagner the past in 2021.” Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars As Executive Director, Pallischeck will focus on reinforcing the status of the Finger Lakes Ashlee Weis as North America’s preeminent cool-climate winemaking region. She will continue the Weis Vineyards long tradition of the FLWA exposing Finger Lakes wines to a broad audience of

consumers, wine trade, and media influencers.

Finger Lakes Wine Alliance’s The Finger Lakes Wine Alliance offers a wide range of programs to its members that mission is to increase the include coordinating wine submissions for review by trade publications, presenting visibility and reputation of the seminars on best practices in social media and distribution networks, and a number of Finger Lakes region and its wineries. events that increase the visibility for Finger Lakes wines.

Kyle Anne Pallischeck In 2020, the FLWA pivoted its entire in-person marketing event slate to virtual events Executive Director with great success. Targeted special programs including the popular Camp and 500 Technology Farm Drive Geneva, New York 14456 Riesling Roadshow were offered in a series of online Zoom presentations connecting p. 315.791.2359 select media and trade with personal seminars hosted by winemakers and winery Kyle@FingerLakesWineAlliance. owners. The 2021 programming will build on this success and will continue to expand com the reach of the Finger Lakes region and its premium cool-climate wines.

### 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 reputation of the Finger Lakes region, its wines and wineries. The alliance is composed of 31 members and 15 affiliated businesses and vendors, and it is guided by a board of directors composed of winery owners and principles from the Finger Lakes AVA. The Finger Lakes Wine Alliance offers a wide range of programs to its members that include coordinating wine submissions for review by trade publications, presenting seminars on best practices in social media and online marketing, and a number of local and national events that increase the visibility of Finger Lakes wines.

With its glacier-sculpted landscapes, ideal microclimates and gifted winegrowers, the Finger Lakes region is home to over 130 wineries that produce exceptional cool-climate wines and world-class . For more information, visit www.fingerlakeswinealliance.com, or connect on Facebook or Instagram.

For more information please contact Kyle Anne Pallischeck, Executive Director at [email protected] or Cindy Dykes at [email protected] .