The wines of Erie, Pennsylvania, tell a unique and captivating story that unfolds in every sip. What sets Erie’s wines apart is not just their taste, but the essence of the land and the dedication of local winemakers. Erie, Pennsylvania, often celebrated for its breathtaking lakeside vistas and vibrant cultural scene, is also home to a burgeoning wine culture. Local wineries have been quietly perfecting their craft, producing a diverse array of wines that capture the essence of the area’s terroir. From crisp and refreshing whites to bold and complex reds, Erie boasts a thriving wine culture that has been gaining recognition and accolades in recent years.
This year, get ready to uncork a world of elegance and flavor at the Vintage Erie 2023 Wine Challenge. This event embodies the heart and soul of Erie’s blossoming wine culture. It is a convergence of flavor, history, and community—a testament to the dedication and craftsmanship of those who transform grapes into liquid poetry.
How it Works
VisitErie has joined forces with Lake Erie Wine Country to introduce the Vintage Erie Wine Challenge. The objective is simple: by utilizing the convenient Hello Erie Trip Planner app, visitors are encouraged to check in at a minimum of six participating wineries, earning themselves a coveted completion badge and a rewarding prize.
A total of 20 wineries from Lake Erie Wine County are participating in this exciting challenge, giving the participants a diverse selection of venues to explore and savor. Once participants successfully conquer the challenge and secure their completion badge, they’ll have the opportunity to trade it in for an enticing package that includes a set of four bamboo appetizer plates and a stylish Lake Erie Wine Country wooden grill flipper.
The challenge will run from September 15 to October 31. Here are the different participating wineries to visit:
1. 21 Brix Winery
Established in 2011, 21 Brix Winery takes its name from the measurement of sugar content in grapes, which is crucial in the winemaking process. Even if the winery is located in Portland, New York, it is part of Lake Erie Wine Country because it is situated within the Lake Erie American Viticultural Area (AVA). Lake Erie Wine Country is a designated wine region that encompasses a significant portion of the Lake Erie shoreline, spanning both Pennsylvania and New York.
21 Brix Winery is renowned for its diverse range of wines, crafted from grapes grown in the region’s fertile vineyards. These vineyards benefit from the unique microclimate influenced by Lake Erie, which contributes to the production of high-quality grapes. Visitors to 21 Brix Winery are greeted with a picturesque setting, featuring rolling vineyards, a cozy tasting room, and a friendly and knowledgeable staff. The tasting room offers a welcoming atmosphere where guests can explore a variety of wines, from crisp and refreshing whites to bold and robust reds. The winery’s signature wines include Rieslings, Chardonnays, Cabernet Francs, and Merlots, showcasing the region’s terroir and winemaking expertise.
2. Penn Shore Vineyards
With a strong focus on grape growing and winemaking, Penn Shore Vineyards offers an impressive selection of wines, ranging from crisp and refreshing whites like Chardonnay and Riesling to bold and complex reds such as Cabernet Franc and Merlot. They are particularly known for their ice wines, a rare and exquisite style of wine made from grapes naturally frozen on the vine, resulting in intense sweetness and complexity.
Established in 1969, Penn Shore Vineyards has been a pioneering force in the region’s wine industry, playing a pivotal role in the development of the Lake Erie Wine Country. The winery is celebrated for its commitment to producing high-quality wines that reflect the unique terroir of the region.
3. Arundel Cellars & Brewing Company
Arundel Cellars & Brewing Company is a distinctive establishment known for its innovative fusion of winemaking and craft brewing. This unique venue provides visitors with the opportunity to enjoy a diverse range of handcrafted wines and artisanal beers, making it a versatile destination for those seeking a variety of libations. Founded by the Arundel family, the winery and brewery have become a local favorite and a popular stop for tourists exploring the Lake Erie Wine Country. The family’s passion for both winemaking and brewing is evident in the exceptional quality of their products.
In addition to its wines, Arundel has made a name for itself in the craft beer scene. The brewery produces a variety of small-batch, handcrafted beers that cater to diverse palates. From hoppy IPAs to rich stouts and seasonal specialties, beer enthusiasts are sure to find something to enjoy.
4. Yori Wine Cellars
Yori Wine Cellars is a distinguished winery that calls the rolling hills of Pennsylvania home. With a commitment to excellence in winemaking, Yori Wine Cellars is known for producing a diverse range of wines that capture the unique character of the region’s terroir. Whether you’re a wine connoisseur or a casual enthusiast, a visit to Yori Wine Cellars promises a delightful journey through the flavors and aromas of Pennsylvania’s finest wines. The winery’s welcoming atmosphere and dedication to quality make it a must-visit destination for those seeking a memorable wine-tasting experience.
5. Presque Isle Wine Cellars
Presque Isle Wine Cellars produces a diverse range of wines, including traditional varietals such as Chardonnay, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as unique and innovative blends. They are particularly known for their fruit wines, ice wines, and specialty dessert wines, which showcase the region’s fruit and grape-growing expertise. Founded in 1964, it has played a significant role in the development of the wine industry in the region and has gained recognition for its high-quality wines, winemaking supplies, and educational resources.
The winery’s picturesque setting, nestled in the Lake Erie Wine Country, offers a serene backdrop for wine tasting and special events. Visitors can explore the tasting room to sample wines and learn about the winemaking process. Additionally, they often host wine-related events and educational workshops, making it a hub for wine enthusiasts looking to expand their knowledge.
6. Lakeview Wine Cellars
Lakeview stands as a charming boutique winery in Erie, crafting a limited range of exquisite wines from locally sourced grapes. Its picturesque vineyards, a serene pond shaped like a wine bottle, and scenic vistas overlooking Lake Erie combine to create an inviting ambiance. It’s the perfect setting to bring a picnic and savor a glass of Lakeview Wine, making for a truly enjoyable and memorable experience.
7. Mazza Vineyards
One of the standout features of Mazza Vineyards is its dedication to innovation and experimentation in winemaking. In addition to traditional varietals, they produce fruit wines, specialty wines, and unique blends, catering to a wide range of tastes. Mazza is particularly renowned for its ice wines, which are produced from grapes that naturally freeze on the vine, resulting in intensely sweet and concentrated flavors.
Founded by Bob and Kathy Mazza in 1972, it has a rich history of producing high-quality wines and has become a prominent name in the Pennsylvania wine industry. Mazza Vineyards is known for its commitment to crafting a diverse range of wines that reflect the unique terroir of the Lake Erie region. They grow a variety of grape varietals, including Chardonnay, Riesling, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot, among others. These grapes thrive in the area’s climate, which is influenced by the moderating effects of Lake Erie, resulting in wines that are both distinctive and flavorful.
8. Arrowhead Wine Cellars
Arrowhead Wine Cellars specializes in crafting a diverse range of wines, including both traditional varietals and unique blends. The winery’s vineyards benefit from the moderating influence of Lake Erie, which contributes to the development of grapes with excellent flavor and balance. Established in 1998 by the Dzuricsko family, this family-owned winery has gained a reputation for producing high-quality wines and providing a welcoming atmosphere for visitors.
One of the distinctive features of Arrowhead Wine Cellars is its commitment to producing fruit wines. They are known for their delicious and creative fruit wine offerings, which capture the essence of locally grown fruits like cherries, apples, and peaches. These fruit wines provide a unique tasting experience for visitors.
9. Johnson Estate Winery
Johnson Estate Winery is a well-established and respected winery located in Westfield, New York, along the shores of Lake Erie. Founded in 1961 by the Johnson family, it is one of the oldest estate wineries in New York State and has played a significant role in the development of the Lake Erie Wine Country. The winery is situated in a region with a favorable climate influenced by Lake Erie, which provides a unique microclimate for grape growing. Johnson Estate Winery is known for its commitment to sustainable and environmentally friendly winemaking practices, which contribute to the production of high-quality wines.
Johnson Estate Winery offers a wide range of wines, including both traditional and innovative varietals. Their vineyards produce classic grapes like Chardonnay, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot, which thrive in the region’s terroir. Additionally, the winery produces fruit wines, ice wines, and specialty dessert wines, showcasing their dedication to experimentation and creativity.
10. South Shore Wine Company
South Shore Wine Company, located in Chautauqua County, New York, is a part of the Lake Erie Wine Country region, known for its vineyards and wineries. South Shore Wine Company is renowned for its historical significance and contributions to the local wine industry, offering a diverse selection of wines for visitors to enjoy.
The South Shore Wine Company pays homage to the rich winemaking heritage of the Lake Erie AVA and the historical significance of this site as Erie County’s inaugural commercial winery. Lovingly restored by the Mazza family, this 19th-century facility, complete with an impressive Civil War-era stone cavern, now houses an exquisite collection of sparkling wines crafted using traditional, contemporary, and experimental methods. Alongside these effervescent offerings, the winery showcases emerging varietals and delightfully sweet selections. Guests can indulge in South Shore wines and wine slushies seasonally while relaxing on their tranquil covered patio or open-air deck.
11. Courtyard Winery
Founded by Randy and Laura Graham in 2010, Courtyard Winery has quickly made a name for itself in the world of wine, known for its commitment to producing high-quality wines and providing an inviting and educational tasting experience. Courtyard Winery specializes in crafting a diverse range of wines, with a focus on traditional grape varietals as well as creative and unique blends. Their vineyards benefit from the region’s favorable climate and the moderating influence of Lake Erie, which contribute to the development of grapes with excellent flavor and balance.
One of the distinguishing features of Courtyard Winery is its dedication to education and engaging with visitors. The winery offers guided wine tastings where guests can explore a variety of wines and learn about the winemaking process. The knowledgeable staff at Courtyard Winery are passionate about sharing their expertise and helping guests discover new wines that suit their preferences.
12. 6 Mile Cellars
6 Mile Cellars is a notable winery in Erie County known for its dedication to producing high-quality wines and providing a welcoming atmosphere for wine enthusiasts. Established in 2008, this family-owned winery has quickly gained recognition for its commitment to quality and innovation. 6 Mile Cellars takes its name from its proximity to Lake Erie, as it is situated just six miles from the lake’s shoreline. This location is advantageous for grape growing, as it benefits from the moderating influence of the lake, creating a favorable microclimate for vineyards.
Visitors to 6 Mile Cellars can enjoy a welcoming tasting room where they can sample a variety of wines and learn about the winemaking process. The winery often hosts events and activities, including wine tastings, live music performances, and educational sessions, making it a hub for wine enthusiasts and the local community.
13. Cellar ’54
Cellar ’54, although a recent addition to the winery scene, draws upon a rich family legacy of grape farming that dates back to 1954. The story begins when Daniel and Alta Coletta acquired “Coletta Vineyards,” a pivotal moment that serves as the namesake and inspiration for Cellar ’54. Today, Coletta Vineyards remains a dynamic and evolving venture as they persist in planting new roots and nurturing their heritage.
14. Driftwood Wine Cellars
Driftwood Wine Cellars represents a family-owned and run winery, conveniently located near the picturesque shores of Lake Erie in North East, PA. Their objective is to establish a local haven, offering a respite from the demands of everyday life, where guests can relish distinctive wines in a cozy atmosphere alongside friends and loved ones.
15. Heritage Wine Cellars
Heritage Wine Cellars is situated in a region with a favorable climate influenced by Lake Erie, which creates a unique microclimate for grape growing. The winery is known for its commitment to sustainable and environmentally friendly winemaking practices, which contribute to the production of excellent wines. Established in 2016 by the Campbell family, the winery quickly gained a reputation for producing high-quality wines and providing an inviting and educational tasting experience.
The winery offers a wide range of wines, including traditional grape varietals such as Chardonnay, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. In addition to these classic wines, Heritage Wine Cellars produces fruit wines and specialty blends, providing a variety of options for visitors to explore.
16. Liberty Vineyards & Winery
Liberty Vineyards & Winery is a well-known and respected winery located in Sheridan, New York, within the Lake Erie Wine Country region. Founded in 2003, the winery has become a prominent name in the local wine industry, known for its commitment to producing high-quality wines and providing a welcoming and educational experience for visitors.
Liberty Vineyards & Winery specializes in crafting a diverse range of wines, with an emphasis on both traditional grape varietals and unique fruit wines. The winery’s vineyards benefit from the region’s favorable climate and soil conditions, allowing for the production of wines with distinct flavors and characteristics
17. Noble Winery
Visitors to Noble Winery can enjoy a welcoming tasting room with scenic views of the vineyards. Here, guests can sample a variety of wines and learn about the winemaking process from knowledgeable staff. Noble Winery is a prominent winery located within the Lake Erie Wine Country region. Established in 2007, Noble Winery has quickly gained recognition for its commitment to producing high-quality wines and offering a welcoming and educational tasting experience to visitors.
Noble Winery is situated in an area with a favorable climate influenced by Lake Erie, which creates a unique microclimate conducive to grape growing. The winery is known for its dedication to sustainable and environmentally friendly winemaking practices, which contribute to the production of excellent wines.
18. Sparkling Ponds Winery
The idyllic vineyard setting, combined with Sparkling Ponds Winery‘s expertise in sparkling wines, has solidified its reputation as a top destination in the Lake Erie Wine Country. Sparkling Ponds Winery is known for its expertise in crafting sparkling wines using traditional methods, such as the méthode champenoise. These sparkling wines include varieties like Brut, Blanc de Blancs, and Rosé, which are celebrated for their effervescence and complexity. In addition to sparkling wines, the winery also produces still wines, including Chardonnay, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot.
19. Willow Creek Winery
Willow Creek Winery stands within a charming and historic 1800s rustic farmhouse. Surrounded by the serene beauty of willow trees, cascading waterfalls, a tranquil pond, and picturesque grape vineyards, the winery offers an array of over 20 distinct wines, all meticulously handcrafted on-site. The wine selection ranges from oak-aged, dry white and red blends to semi-sweets, sweet wines, and our renowned specialty chocolate creations, including Chocolate Temptations, Chautauqua Chocolate, Bubbling Temptations, and our latest addition, Chocolate Peppermint Patty.
20. Mazza Chautauqua Cellars
Mazza Chautauqua Cellars is one of the establishments within the Mazza Wine Group. It is part of the Mazza family of wineries, which includes Mazza Vineyards and Mazza Chautauqua Cellars’ sister winery, Five & 20 Spirits and Brewing. This winery is known for its commitment to producing high-quality wines and providing a welcoming atmosphere for visitors. Nestled in the charming town of Mayville in Western New York, Mazza Chautauqua Cellars is a culinary and wine destination that embodies the essence of exceptional craftsmanship and the beauty of the Chautauqua Lake region. This unique establishment, a part of the Mazza family’s legacy, has been captivating visitors with its wines and gourmet offerings for years.
Mazza Chautauqua Cellars Erie offers a diverse range of wines, including both traditional grape varietals and unique blends. The winery’s vineyards benefit from the region’s favorable climate and soil conditions, allowing for the production of wines with distinct flavors and characteristics. Some of their popular wines may include Chardonnay, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and specialty fruit wines made from locally sourced fruits.
Join the Vintage Erie 2023 Wine Challenge
Embark on a delightful journey through the world of wine! The Vintage Erie 2023 Wine Challenge invites you to immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Pennsylvania’s winery culture. Whether you’re a seasoned wine enthusiast or a curious beginner, this challenge promises an unforgettable experience. At the event, you’ll have the unique opportunity to explore an impressive array of wines crafted by local wineries. It’s a celebration of the artistry and craftsmanship that goes into each bottle, highlighting the diversity and quality of the wines produced in the region.
The Vintage Erie 2023 Wine Challenge is a testament to the unity that wine fosters, bringing people together to celebrate the flavors, aromas, and stories behind each bottle. So be part of an extraordinary wine experience and let’s raise a glass to the excellence and diversity of Erie’s wines. Cheers to a vintage year of discovery and delight!