On June 12, 2023, internationally certified judges will convene in Rochester, NY to judge some of the best wines and spirits from around the globe in the 23^rd Annual Finger Lakes International Wine Competition (FLIWC). For the last two months, entries from wineries and distilleries from various countries and states have been pouring in with the hope of winning gold.

Camp Good Days’ Finger Lakes International Wine & Spirits Competition has been one of the leading charitable wine and spirit competitions in the world for the past 23 years. Wineries and distilleries from all over the globe send in their entries to be judged by Masters of Wine, Master Distillers, Master Sommeliers, educators, journalists, and winemakers. Since its inception in 2000, the Finger Lakes International Wine & Spirits Competition has received over 50,000 entries from all 50 states as well as over 32 countries around the world. What started out as a local competition to help support the campers of Camp Good Days has risen to unimaginable heights.

    “It is so amazing to see the outpouring of support from not only local distilleries and wineries but ones from different states and countries. As I worked on building this competition for the last seven years, I never thought we would see FLIWC reaching countries like France, Germany, and Australia. We cannot thank these producers enough for their continuous support. We have wineries that have been entering this competition for over 10 years, not just to win gold or best in class, — although I’m sure that they enjoy that, too, — because they truly believe in our mission of supporting the campers of Camp Good Days. Seeing the smiles on the campers’ faces each summer drives us to make this competition the best it can be. To know that you helped put that smile on their face is the best feeling in the world. This really is a world-class competition for a world-class cause” – Jamie Varble, Event Director

All proceeds made during the Finger Lakes International Wine & Spirits Competition go directly to Camp Good Days & Special Times. Camp Good Days & Special Times is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and enriching the lives of children, adults, and families who have been affected by cancer or sickle cell anemia. Campers have the opportunity to participate in summer recreational programs along with year-round support programming, all provided free of charge to participants.

Following the Finger Lakes International Wine & Spirits Competition, Camp Good Days will host its annual Wine Auction Gala on October 28^th, 2023, wherein award-winning wines and spirits from the competition will be featured throughout the night. This Gala allows for these wines and spirits to be showcased to over 300 of Rochester’s largest wine and spirit enthusiasts and collectors.  In 2022, the Finger Lakes International Wine & Spirits Competition and the Wine Auction Gala raised over $300,000 for Camp Good Days. By entering a product in FLIWC, you know that you are not only getting exposure for your award-winning product, but you are also sending a child with cancer to camp!