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When it comes to wine tasting, the Lake Erie Wine Trail and Chautauqua wineries are pretty great!
Stunning vineyards, crisp Chardonnays, and charming tasting rooms all describe this lively wine region. Located along the shores of Lake Erie, this 50-mile area has 23 wineries each offering unique and delicious wines.
Similar to Geneva, Ohio wineries and the Finger Lakes, due to the climate, this area favors white wines as well as famed ice wines (a dessert wine typically made from Vidal Blanc in this region).
As this region of the world has a similar climate to Germany’s Mosel Valley or France’s Alsace, you can expect Rieslings, Gewurztraminer, and Pinot Grigio to do well here.
However, wineries keep it fun and appeal to several wine drinkers’ tastes from dry whites to fruity wines and slushies. Plus, wine tastings in this area are a steal at sometimes under $5!
As if you need more reasons to drink along the Lake Erie Wine Trail, right?!
But to help you narrow down your choices and go to the best places, these are the 10 best Lake Erie Wine Trail and Chautauqua wineries that you’ll love!
The 10 Best Lake Erie Wine Trail and Chautauqua Wineries
While Western NY wineries don’t get nearly as much attention as, say, the Finger Lakes, New York itself is the nation’s 3rd largest wine producer with wineries near Chautauqua Lake being a part of that!
Also, the Lake Erie Wine Trail extends into Pennsylvania as well with fabulous wines to try. So let’s talk about the best Lake Erie wineries that you’ll want to try ASAP!
1. 21 Brix Winery is One of the Best Lake Erie Wine Trail Wineries
Address: 6654 W Main Rd, Portland, NY | Phone: 716-792-2749 | Hours: Open daily from 10 am-6 pm | Price For Tasting: $3 for 3 samples or $4 for 6 samples | Must-try Wines: Dry Riesling, Oaked Chardonnay, and Thirsty Elephant
21 Brix Winery is easily recognizable by its pink elephant out front lovingly named Ella. You’ll also spot a buffalo statue named Barry. While this definitely makes the winery stand out, their wines do as well!
This place has a lengthy list of wines and a lovely tasting room in which to try them. If you’re into sweeter wines, the Thirsty Elephant is quite popular and for dry wine lovers, the dry Riesling is sure to please with its super refreshing taste and crisp feel.
The Oaked Chardonnay is also a winner as it is aged in oak barrels and has hints of oak but is never overpowering. It truly is a well-balanced and delightful Chardonnay. And for ice wine lovers, their ice wine is a lovely vino that’ll pair nicely with after-dinner brie or cheesecake!
Pair these with their cheese board and a sunny day for ultimate bliss!
Plus, for beer drinkers, they offer flights and glasses of that too!
2. Mazza Chautauqua Cellars / Five & 20 Spirits & Brewing
Address: 8398 W Main Rd, Westfield, NY | Phone: 716-793-9463 | Hours: July-August Monday-Thursday 10 am-8 pm, Friday-Saturday 10 am-9 pm, Sunday 11 am-6 pm. September & June Monday-Wednesday 10 am-6 pm, Thursday-Saturday 10 am-8 pm, Sunday 11 am-5 pm. October-May Monday-Saturday 10 am-6 pm, Sunday 11 am-5 pm. | Price For Tasting: $5 for 4 samples | Must-Try Wines: Gewürztraminer, Nutt Road Riesling, and Pinot Grigio
If you’re searching for a winery that also produces beer and spirits, you’ll easily enjoy this Chautauqua Lake winery!
This winery also has two locations. The first was created back in 1973 in North East Pennsylvania, and then they opened their second winery near Chautauqua Lake which includes beer and spirits.
While both locations are worth the visit, I’m including this one on the list as it certainly fits the tastes of everyone!
Not only is their dry Pinot Grigio perfectly light and crisp, but their Nutt Road Riesling also stands out for its tropical fruit notes.
Their Gewurztraminer has floral notes with a semi-dry taste.
For those who aren’t fans of wine, then perhaps try one of their cocktails made from their many spirits including a Maple Old Fashioned or Five & 20 Bloody!
And lastly, if those don’t appeal to your taste buds, then perhaps a beer flight with IPAs or a cream ale will strike your fancy!
3. Liberty Vineyards & Winery is One of the Best Chautauqua Lake Wineries
Address: 2861 Main Rd, Sheridan, NY | Phone: 716-672-4520 | Hours: Monday-Saturday 10 am-6 pm and Sunday 11 am-5 pm | Price For Tasting: $5 for 5 samples | Must-Try Wines: Noiret, Traminette, and Cat Noir
While many wineries in the area are known for their white wines, this place makes some great reds as well!
With several award-winning wines and even the title of 2016 New York State Winery of the Year under their belt, they know a thing or two about quality wine.
While their $5 tasting gets you 5 wines to try, honestly you may want to try more because each wine is delicious!
Some notable award-winning wines include their Noiret, which is dry and peppery in a delightful way, Traminette, which is semi-dry with fruit and floral notes, and the Cat Noir, a semi-sweet rose crafted with Catawba and Noiret grapes.
And for a bit of bubbly, be sure to try their Sparkling Riesling too!
4. Lakeview Wine Cellars
Address: 8440 Singer Rd, North East, PA | Phone: 814-725-4440 | Hours: Monday, Thursday, and Friday 11 am-5 pm, Tuesday-Wednesday by appointment, Saturday 10 am-5 pm, Sunday 12-5 pm | Price For Tasting: $2 for 4 samples | Must-Try Wines: Cavitation, Traminette, and Riesling
This place has a lovely tasting room complete with rocks and sand neatly on display in the counter from their travels.
They even have a wine bottle-shaped pond and a friendly Irish setter on site! But when it comes to wines to try, definitely sip on their Cavitation. This award-winning sparkling wine is slightly sweet and perfectly crisp.
The Riesling is also a delight with hints of apricot, peach, and citrus, and the Traminette is lovely as well and full of flavor.
5. Johnson Estate Winery is a Must While Exploring Lake Erie Wine Country
Address: 8419 W Main St, Westfield, NY | Phone: 716-326-2191 | Hours: March-December daily from 10 am-6 pm and January-February daily from 10 am-5 pm | Price For Tasting: $4 for 3 samples and $6 for 6 samples | Must-Try Wines: Riesling, Chardonnay, and Sparkling Traminette
New York’s oldest estate winery is well worth a visit during your time exploring the Lake Erie Wine Trail.
With many awards under their belt, plus a NY Spirits Bar, they have plenty of alcoholic beverages to enjoy during your visit!
Some wines to try include their crisp dry Riesling, the Toasted Oak Chardonnay with a nice oaky taste and feel, and the Sparkling Traminette with floral tastes.
This place also makes some great fortified wines such as Port and Sherry, as well as some award-winning ice wines.
If that doesn’t satisfy your palate, then perhaps sample some spirits like their liquors or other New York spirits like whiskey, vodka, and gin.
6. Arrowhead Wine Cellars
Address: 12073 E Main Rd, North East, PA | Phone: 814-725-5509 | Hours: Monday-Saturday 10 am-5 pm and Sunday 12-4 pm. Closed on Sundays from November through June. | Price For Tasting: $5 for 5 samples | Must-Try Wines: Blueberry Wine, Dazzling Niagara, and Chambourcin
If you enjoy good sweet wine, this is the place. With award-winning sweet wines like their Blueberry wine, you’ll thoroughly enjoy all they have to offer.
For some bubbles, be sure to check out their Dazzling Niagara, and for an interesting dry red wine, check out their Chambourcin with hints of black cherries, plums, and raspberries with a peppery finish.
They also make ciders and a Vidal Ice Wine that are fun to try!
7. Willow Creek Winery is a Great Stop on the NY Wine Trail
Address: 2627 Chapin Rd, Silver Creek, NY | Phone: 716-934-9463 | Hours: Monday-Saturday 10 am-5 pm, Sunday 12-5 pm. November-June they are closed on Wednesdays, and December-April they are by reservation only from Monday-Thursday. | Price For Tasting: $3 for 4 wines or $5 for 4 wines plus a monogrammed glass | Must-Try Wines: Chocolate Wines, Dry Riesling, and Fuzzy Cat
This stunning winery is complete with an 1800’s farmhouse, pond, waterfalls, and the vineyards themselves. Willow Creek also creates more than 20 different wines ranging from dry to sweet and even unique chocolate wines.
If you’re exploring the Lake Erie Wine Trail, this is a must-stop for the creative offerings here.
Some wines to try include the chocolate wines like their Chautauqua Chocolate semi-sweet rich dark chocolate wine or the Chocolate Temptations velvety dark chocolate wine.
It is also worth trying their Fuzzy Cat, a sweet carbonated Catawba wine as well as their Dry Riesling, a crisp white wine with hints of lemon and apricot.
8. Arundel Cellars & Brewing Company
Address: 11727 E Main Rd, North East, PA | Phone: 814-725-1079 | Hours: October-April Monday-Saturday 11 am-6 pm, Sunday 12-5 pm. May-September Monday-Thursday 11 am-6 pm, Friday-Saturday 11 am-8 pm, and Sunday 12-5 pm. | Price For Tasting: $10 for a flight | Must-Try Wines: Reunion, Soulmates, and Timekeeper
Arundel Cellars is a lovely winery that also offers beer and hard cider made from their own orchards.
Many of their wines are inspired by love including their Soulmates, a fruity and sweet blush wine made from Concord and Niagara grapes.
Reunion is meant for time with family and friends with its semi-sweet notes of cranberry and raspberry. The Timekeeper, while not really named for love, is a coffee-infused dessert wine that is sure to make your sweet treat even better.
And if wine isn’t your thing, be sure to check out their beers on tap including some IPAs and ales as well as their ciders.
9. Noble Winery is the Prettiest Vineyard of the Chautauqua Wineries
Address: 8630 Hardscrabble Rd, Westfield, NY | Phone: 716-326-9463 | Hours: May through October daily from 10 am-6 pm and November-April daily from 10 am-5 pm. | Price for Tasting: $5 for 4 wines | Must-Try Wines: Seyval Blanc de Blanc, Riesling, and Niagara
Noble Winery is known as the most beautiful winery on the Lake Erie Wine Trail. And once you exit the tasting room to the back patio, you’ll understand why.
At first glance, you spot the vineyards as they flow down the hill. Then, a bit further, you see the massive Lake Erie. The views are stunning! You could spend quite a bit of time enjoying this winery just to take in the vineyard and lake views!
However, some wines you’ll want to imbibe in include their Seyval Blanc de Blanc. The oaked version is their driest wine with green apple flavors. The Riesling is also worth trying with hints of grapefruit, and the Niagara is sweet with pineapple on the palette.
And if you’re into wine slushies, they’ve got these here too!
10. Woodbury Vineyards is One of the Best Chautauqua Lake Wineries For Sweet Wine
Address: 3215 S Roberts Rd, Fredonia, NY | Phone: 866-691-9463 | Hours: Daily 11 am-5 pm | Price For Tasting: $4 for 5 wines | Must-Try Wines: Peanut Butter Cup, Blue Raspberry, and Zombie Blush
Look, we get it. Sometimes you want a sweet treat wrapped in liquid gold. That’s what wine tasting is all about- drinking something you want to drink!
So if you’re a sweet wine person, then this Chautauqua County Wine Trail winery is a must. If you’re feeling adventurous, try the Peanut Butter Cup, a Concord wine with chocolate and peanut butter.
For a more adult take on KoolAid, why not try the Blue Raspberry wine? And for a refreshing strawberry kiwi twist, check out the Zombie Blush.
Lake Erie Wine Trail Map
Best Time to Visit the Lake Erie Wineries
While these wineries can be visited year-round, the best time to visit the Lake Erie Wine Trail and Chautauqua wineries has to be July and August. This is when most are open daily and have later hours.
However, this does mean they may be crowded, especially on weekends. So be sure to go earlier in the day and mid-week to avoid crowds.
Where to Stay for Visiting the Lake Erie Wine Trail
I recommend actually staying along Chautauqua Lake at the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel! This dreamy hotel is perched right next to the lake and has stunning views!
Plus, they have an indoor and outdoor pool, a putting green, and a bar serving local beers and cocktails in case you want to keep the party going.
The rooms also have plenty of space and a fridge for storing that delicious wine. Prices start around $120-250 per night.
And this gives you the opportunity to check out the other things to do near Chautauqua Lake during your stay!
Lake Erie wineries are always fun to visit. With gorgeous vineyards and deliciously crisp wines, a visit to the Lake Erie Wine Trail is a perfect idea!
**As always, drink responsibly and have a DD.
Thank you to Chautauqua Harbor Hotel for hosting our stay. As always, all opinions are our own.
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