wine casket on hill

HWS News

23 April 2026 • Alums Registration Open for Liberal Arts by the Lake

Return to the classroom for an immersive 3-day course on the celebrated food, wine and agritourism of the Finger Lakes region.

From June 7-10, lifelong learners are invited to explore the Finger Lakes as a dynamic, living classroom, engaging with the people, places and enterprises that define the region.

Learn more and register for Liberal Arts by the Lake here. 

The course “Feast, Farm and Ferment: Exploring the Finger Lakes Region” is part of Liberal Arts by the Lake, a noncredit initiative open to all lifelong learners (no HWS affiliation required). Through a place-based approach, participants will engage directly with the region, meeting local professionals, visiting farms, wineries and breweries, and participating in lively group discussions.

Associate Professor and Co-Chair of Business Management and Entrepreneurship Craig Talmage will lead the program.

Participants will also meet the entrepreneurs and community leaders who are shaping the Finger Lakes, including Hobart and William Smith alumni Daniel Budmen ’15 and Olivia Todd Budmen ’15 of Scout Vineyards, and Victor Pultinas ’08 and Jenna LaVita Pultinas ’08 of Lake Drum Brewing. Additional stops on the itinerary include Muranda Cheese, Lively Run Goat Farm, Billsboro Winery and Big Alice Brewing.

Liberal Arts by the Lake 2025

Participants visit Trestle 31 Winery. Liberal Arts by the Lake goes to Finger Lakes Cider House. Associate Professor of Art and Architecture Michael Tinkler leads a walking tour of downtown Geneva.Liberal Arts by the Lake participants enjoy a wine tasting.

Talmage says he’s excited to share what’s happening at the intersection of community, culture and craft.

“The Finger Lakes will be our classroom. We’ll explore how local businesses are not just selling products, but shaping identity, building community and helping people connect more deeply to place,” he says. “We’ll look at how these enterprises foster belonging, resilience and regional pride in ways that are both meaningful and enduring.”

Learn more about Talmage’s research, including his scholarship on breweries and community impact here.

The cost is $1,395 per person, covering meals and access to all program events. Participants are responsible for their own lodging and transportation to Geneva. On-campus housing is available for $65 per night.

With only 16 spots available, registration is first-come, first-served. Register now to secure your place.

Feast, Farm and Ferment runs adjacent to HWS Reunion 2026, June 5-7, making it an ideal opportunity to extend your stay in the Finger Lakes.

The above photograph features Glenora Wine Cellars, overlooking Seneca Lake. Photo by Kevin Colton Photography.