Cultivating a community of international wine expertise in the Finger Lakes.

Wine Education in the Heart of the Finger Lakes

Cultivate FLX is located in the world-class Finger Lakes wine region of New York. We are proud to be an Approved Program Provider of the internationally recognized Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET). Together we provide the best-in-class education and qualifications to inspire and empower wine professionals and enthusiasts.

WSET qualifications are globally recognized as the international standard in wine knowledge. They are designed for those who are just starting out in their careers, as well as for established professionals.

Learn & Grow

Since 2009, our Cultivate Educators have been a part of the WSET community and have watched the evolution of the program year after year. The class structure incorporates the Educator’s personal knowledge, experience, learning and teaching of the WSET curriculum.

To adequately develop the skills needed to pass the examinations, the classes are staggered in short spurts over numerous weeks. All of the in-person classes are no more than two hours at a time, and are held every week on weekday evenings, allowing industry professionals the chance to participate even in the “busy season.'”

We believe this class schedule allows students the best opportunity to cultivate their knowledge and gain WSET certifications. 

Upcoming Classes

WSET Level 3 Award in Wines

Location: In-Person @ ONCE Finger Lakes, Geneva, NY
Dates: January 9th, 2024 - April 9th, 2024
Exam: April 9th, 2024 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Sign Up Deadline: January 5th, 2024

Classes are held weekly on Tuesday evenings from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm at ONCE Finger Lakes, Gevena, NY. The total course is 12 weeks including the examination. Factored into the schedule is one snow day incase of inclement weather.

WSET Level 1 Award in Wines Online

Location: Online
Dates: March 18, 2024 - April 14, 2024
Remote Proctored Examination: Monday, April 15, 2024 10:00 AM EST
Sign Up Deadline: Monday, March 4, 2024

Taught by a London-based WSET Educator. Regular access and participation in the course online activities is essential for this mode of study.

WSET Level 2 Award in Wines Online

Location: Online
Dates: March 18, 2024 - April 21, 2024
Remote Proctored Examination: Monday, April 22, 2024 10:00 AM EST
Sign Up Deadline: Monday, March 4, 2024

Taught by a London-based WSET Educator. Regular access and participation in the course online activities is essential for this mode of study.

WSET Level 2 Award in Wines

Location: In-Person @ ONCE Finger Lakes, Geneva, NY
Dates: June 4, 2024 - July 30, 2024
Exam: July 30, 2024 from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Sign Up Deadline: May 28, 2024

Classes are held weekly on Tuesday evenings from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at ONCE Finger Lakes, Gevena, NY. The total course is 9 weeks including the examination.

Our Venue

Once (pronounced AWN-say) means ‘eleven’ in Spanish and that happens to be the number of lakes that form the Finger Lakes region. Owner Antonio, who grew up in Mexico, couldn’t help but translate the word and decided to embrace the double-meaning when he named his new venue. Together, Cultivate FLX and Once Finger Lakes is about storytelling, collaboration, and bringing together like-minded individuals to demonstrate breadth, depth, and passion of wine.

Once FInger Lakes is located at 655 NY-14, Penn Yan NY, 14424.

Our Cultivators

Our educators bring their international wine expertise to candidates attending classes. Their first-hand experience in all facets of the wine industry include production, distribution, on-premise sales, marketing and hospitality. 

Brandon Thomas DipWSET

Owner & Nominated Educator

Brandon earned his WSET Diploma in 2013 and subsequently WSET Certified Educator in 2015. For over 18 years, he has held reputable positions in all facets of the wine industry – Restaurant Fine Wine Director, Import and Distribution Product Development, and Winery Digital Marketing and Brand Management. Brandon brings his first-hand experience to his students professionally visiting regions in France, Italy, Spain, Greece, Israel, and California. 

Meaghan Frank DipWSET

Nominated Educator

Meaghan Frank is the fourth generation of the Frank family to manage Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery in the Finger Lakes, NY. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University and two post-graduate degrees; one in Wine Business from the University of Adelaide in Australia and one in enology from Cornell University.

Byron Davis

Byron Davis DipWSET

Course Educator

Byron Davis is a partner at Trestle 31. He completed the WSET diploma and has been involved in the MW program since.

Byron has a wide range of experience in financial and business valuation, wine consulting, and project management. He has worked both outside the food and beverage industry as well as in it, with both small companies and large including most recently Delaware North.

Latest Posts

WSET Level 1 Award in Wines

flexible payment options available

WSET Level 2 Award in Wines

flexible payment options available

WSET Level 3 Award in Wines

flexible payment options available

WSET Level 1 Award in Wines: In-Person

Registering for April 13th Start Date!

Weekly classes will be held on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:00 at a location on Seneca Lake, ten minutes south of Geneva. Location to be announced mid-March!

$279 for 3-Week Course

WSET Level 1 Award in Wines: Online

Registering Now!

Level 1 may be taken online from any location in the US with online exams. For those local to the Finger Lakes we offer a supplemental tasting kit of eight wines to aid with your studies.

$299 Online Course

$99 Tasting Kit

WSET Level 2 Award in Wines: In-Person

Registering for April 14th Start Date!

Weekly classes will be held on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 at a location on Seneca Lake, ten minutes south of Geneva. Location to be announced mid-March!

$699 All Inclusive

WSET Level 2 Award in Wines: Online

Registering Now!

Level 2 Online may be taken from any location in the US with online exams. For those local to the Finger Lakes we offer a supplemental tasting kit of thirty wines to aid with your studies.

$499 Online Course

$299 Tasting Kit

WSET Level 3 Award in Wines: In-Person

Registering for April 15th Start Date!

Weekly classes will be held on Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 at a location on Seneca Lake, ten minutes south of Geneva. Location to be announced mid-March!

$1199 All Inclusive

WSET Level 3 Award in Wines: Online

Coming Soon!

Questions?

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