Editors
Denice Karamardian, Executive Editor
Denice recently retired from overlapping careers in performance, voice teaching, and radio host/producer. For two decades she also worked for the Finger Lakes Wine Gazette, as ad manager and columnist while operating her B&B in Ithaca. In 2022, Denice launched the Finger Lakes Libations with the help of Nancy Tisch and, in 2024, she published the ‘Odar’ Series, historical fiction trilogy depicting the true story of her Middle Eastern ancestors’ immigration from Syria and settlement in the Finger Lakes.
Phil Carstens, Wine Editor
Phil is a creative professional with over 20 years of experience in graphic design, photography, and writing. His passion for wine was born in California, while working with a local nonprofit to design the Food & Farm Guide, an annual publication promoting the region's farms, ranches, and vineyards. In 2022, he relocated to Trumansburg, New York, to be closer to family and works as a real estate agent with Warren Real Estate. Phil enjoys gardening, hiking, playing guitar, and expanding his wine knowledge through tastings on the Cayuga and Seneca Lake Wine Trails. He is the author of the 2024 & 2025 online Harvest Reports on fingerlakeslibations.com.
Christian J. Mercado Acevedo, Brew Editor
Christian brings a wealth of expertise in beer and spirits backed by a robust academic and professional foundation. An Industrial Engineer (B.S.) and holder of a Master of Food Science (MFS) from Cornell University specializing in beer and spirits, Christian is also certified in Food and Beverage Management (Cornell University), and the Business of Craft Brewing (Portland State University). An experienced homebrewer for over 14 years and a distiller for the past five years, Christian has transformed his passion into practice and is the creator and host of The Food Engineer Podcast, a Spanish-language podcast dedicated to exploring fermented foods and beverages, as well as the host of Maestros Cerveceros, an acclaimed podcast from the Master Brewers Association of the Americas focused on the technical aspects of brewing. Christian also collaborated with the Cornell Maple Program to develop a Maple Syrup Liqueur, showcasing his innovative spirit and dedication to product development. In 2022, Christian founded Caldamentum, a Food and Beverage consulting company, to assist businesses in planning, operations, product development, and professional communication for a competitive market. Based in Ithaca, NY, Christian is an ardent advocate of the Finger Lakes region, enjoying outdoor pursuits like cycling, cooking and hiking.
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS TO DATE
Christian J. Mercado Acevedo
Sarah Blagg
Edgar Brown
Dee Calvasina
Phil Carstens
Bill Chaisson
Meredith Collins
Deidre Cross
David Diehl
Patrice DiLorenzo
Carol Doolittle
Derek Edinger
Jade Ferrante
Carolyn Grass
Scott Gudell
Peggy Haine
Patricia Hawley
Kit Kalfs
Denice Karamardian
Jen Littlefield
Demi Perry
Georgina Saroka
Maryrose Savino
Erin Scherer
Cathy Shipos
Jerry Smith
Nancy Tisch
NEW GUEST WRITERS
IN EVERY ISSUE!
Finger Lakes Libations is always looking for new writers and contributors.
Contact Denice if you are interested in becoming part of our team.
