Our Team
We are two individuals united by a shared vision to elevate the Finger Lakes wine region to a level of global recognition never before seen. Through our efforts, we aim to promote the talented producers of the region, amplifying their unique character and craftsmanship, and bringing their wines to a wider audience, one bottle at a time.
The team at VINIFERA New York is deeply committed to elevating the Finger Lakes wine region, bringing its exceptional wines to a global audience with both seriousness and passion. With a keen understanding of the region’s unique terroir, they strive to position its producers on an international stage, ensuring that their craftsmanship is recognized worldwide. Through strategic partnerships and unwavering dedication, the team aims to create lasting visibility and appreciation for Finger Lakes wines, making their mark on the global wine industry.
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Jim Cecere, MBA, President & CEO
Jim Cecere is a distinguished entrepreneur and visionary business leader, who founded FLX Group LLC in 2019 with the debut of Finger Lakes Goods in Geneva, NY. What began as a boutique specialty shop has evolved into a renowned destination for premium, locally crafted products, offering an impressive selection of over 400 Finger Lakes goods both in-store and online.
In 2021, Jim broadened his entrepreneurial horizons with the introduction of VINIFERA New York, an exclusive boutique wine retailer, tasting room, and speakeasy. VINIFERA is dedicated to celebrating the finest Finger Lakes wines, complemented by a curated array of craft cocktails and light gourmet fare. The brand will continue to flourish with the upcoming opening of a new tasting room and experience center in Ithaca, scheduled for late Q2 2025.
Jim’s entrepreneurial spirit also led him to establish Le Chevalier in 2021, a winery committed to producing exceptional, high-end Finger Lakes wines. The winery’s inaugural vintages launched in 2024, with two new releases slated for 2025, available exclusively at VINIFERA New York in Geneva.
Honored as a Future40 Innovator & Tastemaker in the wine and spirits industry by Wine Enthusiast Magazine in 2023, Jim has been recognized for his pioneering work and contributions to the Finger Lakes wine region.
With over 25 years of expertise in financial services and education, Jim has held prominent senior executive positions at Strategic Education, Inc., BNY Mellon, JP Morgan, and Vanguard. He earned his B.A. from Hobart College and an MBA from Duke University’s prestigious Fuqua School of Business.
Jim Cecere, MBA can be contacted at jim@flxgoods.com.
Kevin San Jose, MBA, DipWSET, CS, Vice President | Director of Wine & Spirits
At the helm of VINIFERA New York’s wine and spirits program stands Kevin San Jose, a visionary in fine wine curation, luxury hospitality, and wine business. Armed with an MBA from Rutgers University, Kevin seamlessly blends strategic expertise with an extraordinary depth of wine knowledge, making him a true industry leader.
His credentials are nothing short of exceptional. A WSET Diploma holder—an achievement that typically takes most other candidates at minimum three years to complete—Kevin achieved it in just 11 months. As an Advanced Sommelier Candidate with the Court of Master Sommeliers, his refined palate and encyclopedic grasp of global wine regions set him apart.
Wine business and hospitality are at his core. Kevin has completed executive education in omnichannel marketing and operations management at Wharton (University of Pennsylvania), as well as strategic leadership training from Dartmouth and the University of London. His expertise in luxury brand management, certified by LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy), is a natural extension of his passion for fine wine and spirits. Additionally, his hospitality education from SDA Bocconi sharpens his ability to craft elevated guest experiences at VINIFERA.
Kevin’s accolades include Highest Honors as a French Wine Scholar (FWS), Spanish Wine Scholar (SWS), and Italian Wine Scholar (IWS), as well as a Certified Sherry Wine Specialist (CSWS). With the Society of Wine Educators, he is both a Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) and a Certified Specialist of Spirits (CSS). He also holds expert titles as an Argentina Wine Specialist (AWS), American Wine Expert (AWE), Napa Valley Wine Expert (NVWE), Oregon Wine Expert (OWE), Rhône Valley Wine Specialist (RVWS), Georgian Wine Expert, and Certified Madeira Wine Specialist (CMWS). In 2025, he was honored as an Ambassador for the Wines of Chile®.
In 2023, Kevin and VINIFERA’s Owner & Founder, Jim, were recognized as Wine Enthusiast’s Future40 Innovators & Tastemakers for their groundbreaking work in elevating the Finger Lakes wine region to national and international prominence.
Beyond VINIFERA, Kevin is a Contributing Writer for Wine Enthusiast Magazine and serves as the Wine & Spirits Editor for the Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance (Explore Finger Lakes / fingerlakes.org), guiding visitors to the region’s finest wine, spirits, and dining experiences.
VINIFERA New York and its growing locations are Kevin’s passion projects—meticulously curated spaces where every detail, from the wine and spirits selection to design, sound, and ambiance, reflects his vision for elevated hospitality.
In relentless pursuit of excellence, Kevin is working toward his ultimate goal of becoming a dual Master Sommelier and Master of Wine — two of the industry’s most prestigious titles. Yet, even as he chases these elite distinctions, his devotion to wine business, economics, and world-class hospitality remains steadfast.
With an exceptional palate, unmatched drive, and a passion for crafting extraordinary wine and hospitality experiences, Kevin ensures that VINIFERA New York is not just a destination—it’s an experience.
Industry Credentials
- DipWSET (Wine & Spirits Education Trust)
- Certified Sommelier (Court of Master Sommeliers)
- Certified Specialist of Wine® (CSW)
- Certified Specialist of Spirits® (CSS)
- French Wine Scholar® (FWS)
- Spanish Wine Scholar® (SWS)
- Italian Wine Scholar® (IWS)
- American Wine Expert™ (AWE)
- Argentina Wine Specialist™ (AWS)
- Certified Sherry Wine Specialist® (CSWS)
- Certified Madeira Wine Specialist™ (CMWS)
- Napa Valley Wine Expert™ (NVWE)
- Oregon Wine Expert™ (OWE)
- Rhône Valley Wine Specialist™ (RVWS)
- Georgian Wine Expert™ (GWE)
- Certified Wines of Chile® Ambassador
Kevin San Jose, MBA, DipWSET, CS can be contacted at kevin@viniferanewyork.com.
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