A glass of bravery: local veteran features self-branded, award-winning wines at area vendors
AUG 26 2022
By XIANA FONTNO
A bottle of red, white or courage has been hand selected, courtesy of the Finger Lakes region, and a local veteran with a knack for the finer things.
Oswego native Corey Christman, a retired Air Force veteran and the founder and winemaker of Bravery Wines, has introduced central New York to a variety of wines sure to win over those with a supreme taste for patriotism.
And it was recently put to the test. This year’s New York Wines Classic awarded Christman’s products several accolades, including Best Sauvignon Blanc and Best Riesling, Christman’s personal favorite.
In all, the Finger Lakes winemaker took home six medals.
See more at Oswego County News Now.
Finger Lakes Wineries Take Home Top Honors at New York Wine Classic Competition
JUL 12 2022
(WENY) -- Wineries in the Finger Lakes region received a number of awards Tuesday evening, at the annual New York Wine Classic competition awards ceremony.
The 36th annual event is organized by the New York Wine and Grape Foundation, and grands awards in a variety of categories, based on style of wine.
Two of the top awards include the Governor's Cup, which was announced by New York Governor Kathy Hochul, and "Winery of the Year", which is presented to the winery with the best overall showing in the competition.
See more at Weny News
Veteran’s winemaking operation builds ‘a brand of bravery ‘
MAY 24 2022
by Crystal Kupper
A former Air Force special agent-turned winemaker is teaming up with veteran-focused nonprofits to bless military members and their families.
Retired Master Sgt. Corey Christman is the owner of Bravery Wines, a New York wine label named for the “courageous character” of veterans and first responders. During the month of May, every wine duo sold will generate $5 for the Yellow Ribbon Fund, a charity focusing on wounded service members and their families.
“I want to be known as a giver, not a taker,” said Christman. “We knew from a very early point with Bravery Wines that we would be giving back to some organization that worked with veterans.”
See more at Military Families Magazine
Bravery Wines
FEB 15 2021
A Johnstown couple has started a company that brings together two things they hold very near and dear to their hearts – excellent wine and military veterans.
U.S. Air Force veteran and retired Special Agent Corey Christman and his wife, Jennifer, started Bravery Wines in 2020 and plan to donate at least $2 of every bottle sold to Yellow Ribbon Fund, a veteran service organization that supports injured service members and their caregivers.
Corey says he started making wine 10 years ago, crafting small batches in his garage. But he dreamed of bigger and better things and pursued a degree in winemaking education at Washington State University. He then did an internship at Anthony Road Wine Company in Penn Yan, New York, where he worked with owners, John and Ann Martini, and head winemaker, Peter Becraft.
Corey was so impressed with Anthony Road Wine Company, its owners and Becraft that, when he and Jennifer married on Veterans Day in 2017, they did so at the winery.
See more at The Tribune Democrat.
A Passion for Vinting
DEC 06 2020
Nicole A. Hawley
After serving his country in Operation Iraqi Freedom, U.S. Air Force retired Corey Christman and wife Jennifer are using their passions to continue giving back to those who served through their own wine label — Bravery Wines.
After retiring from the Air Force in 2012, Christman started his hobby as a home winemaker. Becoming more and more fascinated by the process, he decided to grow his skills.
Christman grew up in Oswego, and his parents Vaughn and Renae Christman, live in Rome.
“I enrolled in a certificate program at Washington State University, and after completing enology and commercial wine making operations courses, I was introduced to John and Ann Martini, owners of Anthony Road Wine Company, in Penn Yan, and head wine maker, Peter Becraft. I began an internship there in 2014, and never left,” said Christman. “These days I split time between my home in Johnstown, Pa., but I also have a residence on Seneca Lake, right in Penn Yan. I have a consulting business as well.”
When Christman first started out, he was working primarily harvest, which was from September to November or December, but now is in the Seneca Lake region throughout the year working various facets of the wine business.
It was about 18 months ago that he and wife Jennifer decided to bring their own label, Bravery Wines, to life. The wine was originally to launch around Memorial Day, but due to COVID-19, the Christmans decided to delay their debut. But come Veterans Day, it was time to “flip the switch,” Corey said.
See more at the Rome Sentinel.