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WinewithSmoak, 250 E Main Street, Rochester, NY (2026)

05/08/2026

One of the most beautiful aspects of collaboration is helping bring someone’s vision to life.

As a longtime friend and fan of , I know how deeply his Puerto Rican heritage shapes who he is. For this dinner, I wanted him to have the space to tell that story through his cooking.

We are in a culinary age where being Latino, African, Hawaiian, African-American, or from any deeply rooted cultural background no longer has to fit inside narrow culinary expectations. Chefs can create beautifully complex, technically refined, deeply flavorful dishes while still celebrating culture and identity one plate at a time.

Gone are the days of fitting yourself into a box. This is a moment to shine, to create boldly, and to show our truest selves through our passions and destroy any and all limitations.

For Chef Cruz, that means honoring his hometown and his Puerto Rican roots through his craft and you will have an opportunity to be a witness.

Join us for a 12-course, multicourse experience that celebrates Puerto Rican identity in its purest form, with intentional wine pairings selected to highlight Cruz’s fine dining vision and culinary journey.

Saturday, May 31, 2026
Two seatings: 5:00 PM and 8:00 PM
$250 per person

Intimate, intentional, immersive, inspiring (even for the next generation of chefs 😉).

Celebrate Cruz’s hometown, his story, and a new age of culinary inspiration and excellence in Rochester with us at

**LINK IN BIO**

🇵🇷

04/07/2026

🎟️TWO TICKETS REMAIN!! CLICK LINK ABOVE AND GRAB A SEAT.

I have always been fascinated by the idea that certain varietals are often defined as either “cool climate” or “warm climate” vinifera, with the assumption that they can only achieve true development within those specific climatic conditions. A common misconception I often encounter is that the Finger Lakes cannot produce outstanding red wines beyond Cabernet Franc, or that Merlot can only achieve true ripeness and structural development in warmer climates such as California. Or the common phrase, “I dislike Chardonnay” without realizing there are styles beyond what they might’ve experienced with the grape - regional and winemaking influences are at play.

I am here to challenge that notion, explain why it is misleading, and offer compelling wine examples that demonstrate just how false it can be. This class is designed to examine these distinctions through the lens of varietals such as Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot, highlighting how climate, terroir, and winemaking decisions can profoundly influence the character of each wine and reveal excellence in ways that defy expectation.

I will be featuring wines from local FLX wineries: , and as well as wines from California and Chile.

DON’T MISS IT!!

03/10/2026

and invite you to a cozy winter “Wine Pairing” experience.

As temperatures dip and we find ourselves in what feels like a third winter, there is no better excuse to warm up with exceptional food and thoughtfully paired wines.

Join us Wednesday, March 18th at Rustic Roots for a multi-course small plate pairing curated by Shomari Smoak, City Magazine’s Sommelier of the Year (2025), featuring wines from the Finger Lakes and Italy alongside delicious fare from .

Menu highlights include:
Whipped Honey Goat Cheese Crostini
Oven Roasted Chicken Bruschetta
Chorizo Stuffed Date
Beef Tortellini Ravioli
Sea Salt Chocolate Truffle

Come hungry and ready to explore a night of flavor, warmth, and great company.

Tickets available now. Link in bio.

Don’t miss out!

03/02/2026

“Where Delta Breezes Meet Deep Roots: A Reflection on Lodi” — 7 Tickets Remain — **LINK IN BIO**

I first learned about Patrick Cappiello () through the local wine community here. The narrative was simple: a Rochester native who made it big in New York City as an award-winning sommelier. At the time, I was still finding my footing in the wine world, so I did not fully grasp what that meant. Only later did I realize the deeper significance of his next move. He left the polish and prestige of the Big Apple for something far more grounded in Lodi.

To start a restaurant? Not quite. To make wine.

We have witnessed this evolution before. From André Hueston Mack to Rajat Parr, the shift from tailored suits and cellar inventories to vineyard rows and fermentation tanks. From stewarding some of the world’s most revered bottles in elite dining rooms to putting your own name on a label and assuming the full weight of production. It is a move that demands clarity and courage. Not an act of ego, but an answer to something deeper and more meaningful.

With , Patrick Cappiello has built something deliberate and site-driven. Alongside Assistant Winemaker Jesus Aleman (), the philosophy is clear: intentional vineyard partnerships with respected biodynamic growers such as Craig Ledbetter ( can vouch for him 😉), restrained and transparent practices in both vineyard and cellar, and wines that overdeliver whether poured at your dinner table or featured on serious restaurant lists across the country.

Consider the Alta Mesa Skin Contact Sauvignon Blanc. That golden hue is matched with texture, phenolic grip, citrus peel and a savory lift that is unmistakable. Or the Sangiovese, layered with red fruit, florals, and structural integrity that speaks to both site, skill and vision. These wines reflect the depth of Lodi’s vinifera plantings while elevating the conversation around what the region can produce. Precision without pretension.

I cannot wait to pour wines and unpack this story with you during my Lodi class this Friday.

Seven tickets remain.

Do not miss it.

02/25/2026

“When Delta Breezes Meets Deep Roots: A Reflection on Lodi” - Friday, March 6th, 2026

🎟️ TICKETS IN BIO! Don’t miss out! 🎟️

Gerardo () and I shared a moment that truly changed my life during Field Blends: Lodi.

During that trip, I found myself in a space where my thoughts and emotions would not align. I was trying to make sense of everything at once. I stepped away from the group and Gerardo followed. We walked. We talked. We laughed. We cried. In that space, something shifted. We bonded in a way that felt honest and grounding. And he provided me with a perspective and a reckoning I have never faced in my entire career.

What stayed with me most was not just the conversation, but the clarity of his purpose. His love for crafting exceptional wine is undeniable, and his commitment to building community runs just as deep. He is not only an extraordinary winemaker, creating a brand that shares a namesake with my daughter Anaya, but also someone who is actively cultivating space for leaders of color in this industry. He is helping redefine what it means to belong here and to lead with excellence.

He moves with quiet confidence. His presence is steady. His wines enrapture with intention. Nebbiolo with structure and depth. Carbonic Tempranillo that is vibrant and expressive. Albariño layered with energy, acidity and flavor. These are wines driven by fruit, framed by structure, and marked by complexity. They are focused, compelling, and impossible to ignore.

Join me on March 6th for “Where Delta Breezes Meet Deep Roots: A Reflection on Lodi.” I will be sharing more about this experience with Gerardo, my time with Field Blends:Lodi and pouring some of his exceptional wines. I would love to see you there.

02/19/2026

“Where Delta Breezes Meet Deep Roots: A Reflection on Lodi”

🎟️TICKETS ON SALE. Link in bio.

Melinda McKearney is determined beyond reproach.

Determined to build a brand with intention. Determined to place Lodi firmly on the map, not through volume or trend, but through undeniable quality, finesse, and power. Alongside her daughter, Michele Ouellet, she has created as a mother daughter vision of craftsmanship, building a personal and unique legacy, showcasing what Lodi fruit can truly become in the hands of those who believe deeply in its potential.

Rosé all year? Consider it handled. Her timeless Rhône inspired blend of Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Carignan, and Grenache is sourced from old vines in the heart of Lodi. Blush pink in color, yet vibrant and expressive, with notes of grapefruit citrus, tart strawberry, and a lingering, savory lift that stays with you long after the sip.

And then there is the star that stops you in your tracks.

The Lorenza Bechthold Vineyard Cinsault, sourced from vines planted in 1886.

Yes, 1886!

When I say old vines, I mean it. Power and elegance in perfect balance. Structure, fruit intensity, and a sense of place that feels almost impossible to replicate. I was grateful to walk these vineyards, to stand beside vines that have endured for well over a century, and I can tell you firsthand, this wine is exceptional.

Unapologetically feminine and deeply intentional, Melinda and Michele have cultivated wines unlike any other, and I am honored to feature and other producers in my New York Kitchen class.

Friday, March 6th at 6:00 PM

You will not want to miss this exclusive pouring.

And as an added gift, Melinda has provided a special discount on her wines available only to attendees of this class.

Grab your tickets, join us, and stay tuned!

02/15/2026

My buddy Tony has never been one for self-promotion. That has never been his style. He simply puts his head down, works hard, educates, and shows up for his community in the most genuine way.

I was in need of business cards and Tony was the first to jump at the opportunity to help. And when I was struggling to find my brand identity, he sat with me, patiently and thoughtfully, and helped bring to life the identity and the imagery that has become the heart of the brand.

So on this Valentine’s Day weekend, I wanted to show some love to one of my favorite creators, and someone I truly consider a brother and a dear friend. Tony is endlessly inventive, and he even helped shape the idea of pairing wine with type in such a unique and meaningful way with our “Love is in the Pair” wine and type pairing event.

This time around, we were also lucky to collaborate with two more incredible artists: Jolene ( ), who makes stunning and unique jewelry pieces and Kelli (), whose beautiful ceramics include my current favorite latte mug.

Tony is truly one of a kind, and watching him share his passion for letterpress with the community in such a fun, thoughtful, and creative way is a real gift.

Thank you to everyone who came out to our “Love is in the Pair” event. Stay tuned for more collaborations, more creativity, and more opportunities to support and celebrate one another this year!

And check out my friends and and continue to support local!

01/21/2026

I’m Shomari Smoak, and I’m excited and honored to share that I will be serving as the Director of 2026.

Alongside Oskar Bynke, co-owner and Kelby Russell, founder and winemaker , I am incredibly excited to be bringing this conference to life in a way that is thoughtful, dynamic, and truly global in scope. FLXcursion is a global wine conference hosted in the Finger Lakes by design, with the region serving as a platform for meaningful wine dialogue from around the world.

Wines featured at FLXcursion 2026 will span far beyond our borders, with producers and perspectives represented from throughout the United States, Germany, Austria, New Zealand, Australia, and beyond. This is about creating a space where the Finger Lakes becomes a meeting ground for ideas, styles, philosophies, and cultures within wine, rather than simply a showcase of one region.

For me, FLXcursion is about connection first and foremost. It is about creating an experience that is interactive, accessible, and genuinely fun, while also being serious about where wine is going, why it matters, and how global wine culture continues to evolve. My goal is for this conference to feel as connective as it is educational, and as engaging as it is informative.

FLXcursion 2026 is being built as a multigenerational, multicultural, and inclusive experience, one that reflects the diverse voices shaping wine today. Whether you are a producer, buyer, educator, or enthusiast, this is a gathering designed to bring people together through shared curiosity, dialogue, and discovery.

I cannot wait to share more as it all comes together.
For updates and future details, I encourage you to sign up at flxcursion2026.com and follow for more updates!

01/15/2026

has become the destination spot for MUST-SEE culinary titans battling in real time.

FOOD-FIGHT is the place you want to be! And Season 2 is fully underway.

and battled it out for kitchen supremacy making incredible dishes that were thoughtful, complex and delicious with such precision. Even with the time constraints, both chefs brought out the best of themselves and each other.

Special kudos to the audience who brought the energy all night showing support and fueling the chefs to the finish line.

was victorious at the end of the night but gracious in victory.

Thank you for Season 2 of such a wonderful event and allowing me to capture the scenes of this truly immersive and scintillating culinary battle between two exceptional members of our culinary community here in Rochester.

Go check out Chef Marko and Chef Brian and come back to for the semi-finals.

📸

01/07/2026

Lock in.

Block out the noise.

Center yourself.

Leave no doubt.

WinewithSmoak

05/08/2026

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03/10/2026

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02/25/2026

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