‘Tis the time for lots of wine!

There’s something about the change in weather from sweaty summer nights to cool autumn breezes that just screams “let’s drink!” and before the weather gets too much cooler, there’s one thing you should do: take a wine tour. Whether you only partake in a glass at dinner or you consider yourself a full-fledged connoisseur, a wine tour is the perfect way to travel a bit while trying (and buying) a wide variety of wines.

Don’t feel like making a tour out of it? No problem – any of the wineries and vineyards available on the tours are open for wine tastings and special events year-round if you just want to make a one-stop trip. Check out the map for the individual locations, take a peek at their websites, and tour your way one wine at a time through Western New York and Northern Pennsylvania!

Wine Trails:

Niagara Wine Trail
Location: Niagara County, N.Y.
Cost: $2-5 wine tasting fee depending on the winery. Ice wine tastings are typically extra. Event tickets vary.

The Niagara Wine Trail is a self-guided tour that gives you the freedom to choose where you start and end. The trail offers 18 member wineries open for wine tastings year-round, with inexpensive wine, ice wine and cider samplings across Niagara County, and is also open for several events throughout the year, including “Hallowine,” a murder mystery weekend on October 18-20. Transportation, such as limo and bus tours, and lodging is available on three main routes.

Lake Erie Wine Country
Location: Silver Creek to Harborcreek (Penn.)
Cost: Varies by winery/vineyard and event.

Lake Erie Wine Country proudly touts itself as the largest grape-growing region east of the Rockies, and for good reason. This 50-mile wine region along the south shore of Lake Erie from Chautauqua County to Northern Pennsylvania allows you to choose from up to 24 wineries. Create your own tour and decide on transportation (like the Niagara Wine Trail, you can also do limo and bus tours if you don’t want to make the drive yourself). Looking for something specific to do? Wine Country has several events listed for the rest of 2013, including Harvest Wine Weekend and Murder Mystery at Noble Winery. Welcome to Wine Country!

Individual Wineries/Vineyards:

New York

21 Brix Winery (Portland, N.Y.)
Hours: Open daily 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Wine Tasting: Call 716-792-2749 for pricing.
Tours: Weekend tours at 11 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, weekday by chance (no charge).

A Gust of Sun Winery (Ransomville, N.Y.)
Hours: Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Sunday–Friday 12 p.m.–6 p.m. (May–December). Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Sunday and Friday 12 p.m.–6 p.m. (January–April).
Wine Tasting: $3 for four tastes OR $5 for five tastes and five pieces of gourmet chocolate paired with wines.

Arrowhead Spring Vineyards (Lockport, N.Y.)
Hours: Open daily 12 p.m.–6 p.m. (May–December). Friday–Monday 12 p.m.–6 p.m. (January–April). Also open by appointment.
Wine Tasting: Call 716-434-8030 for pricing.

Black Willow Winery (Burt, N.Y.)
Hours: Monday–Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m.–6 p.m. (May–December). Sunday–Friday 12 p.m.–6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m. (January–April).
Wine Tasting: $2 for three wines. Offering wine and chocolate pairings daily.

Blackbird Cider Works (Barker, N.Y.)
Hours: Friday and Sunday 12 p.m.–6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m. (May–December). Friday and Sunday 12 p.m.–5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m. (February–April). Closed in January.
Hard Cider Tasting: Call 716-795-3580 for pricing.

Blueberry Sky Farm Winery (South Ripley, N.Y.)
Call 716-252-6535 for hours and pricing.

Chateau Niagara Winery (Newfane, N.Y.)
Hours: Open Monday/Thursday/Friday/Sunday 12 p.m.–5 p.m., Saturday 12 p.m.–6 p.m. (April 15–December 31). Saturday–Sunday 12 p.m.–5 p.m. (January–April 14).
Wine Tasting: Call 716-778-7888 for pricing.

Eveningside Vineyards (Cambria, N.Y.)
Hours: Thursday–Sunday 12 p.m.–6 p.m. (May–December). Also open on Mondays 12 p.m.–6 p.m. (July–August). Open most weekends (January–April).
Wine Tasting: $4 for four wines.

Flight of Five Winery (Lockport, N.Y.)
Hours: Daily 12 p.m.–7 p.m.
Wine Tasting: Fees apply; call 716-433-3360 for pricing.

Freedom Run Winery (Lockport, N.Y.)
Hours: Open Sunday–Wednesday 12 p.m.–6 p.m., Thursday–Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Open any time by appointment.
Wine Tasting: Fees apply; call 716-433-4136 for pricing.

Honeymoon Trail Winery (Cambria, N.Y.)
Hours: Monday–Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Sundays 12 p.m.–6 p.m. Winter hours may vary, so call ahead.
Wine Tasting: Call 716-438-3255 for pricing.

Johnson Estate Winery (Westfield, N.Y.)
Hours: Open daily 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Wine Tasting: Tastings are free except for ice wines/port/sherry/sparkling traminette ($1 each) or sparking ice wine ($2 each).
Tours: Groups of at least six can take a tour of the winery and a half-mile walk in the vineyards. It's free of charge, but requires an advance appointment (call 716-326-2191). Private tours for groups with tastings and food pairings can be organized with special arrangement.

Leonard Oakes Estate Winery (Medina, N.Y.)
Hours: Monday–Friday 11 a.m.–6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m.–6 p.m. (May–December). Sunday–Friday 12 p.m.–6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m. (January–April).
Wine Tasting: $2 for six wines.

Liberty Vineyards & Winery (Sheridan, N.Y.)
Hours: Open Monday–Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Wine Tasting: $2 for up to six wines.
Tours: Group tours available by appointment; individual tours may be available by chance.

Long Cliff Winery (Sanborn, N.Y.)
Hours: Sunday–Friday 12 p.m.–6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m. (June–December). Friday and Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m.–6 p.m. (January–May).
Wine Tasting: Call 716-731-3316 for pricing.

The Winery at Marjim Manor (Appleton, N.Y.)
Hours: Monday–Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m.–6 p.m.
Wine Tasting: $5 for four tastes (includes keepsake wine glass and 10 percent off purchase) OR $3 for four tastes.
Notes: No buses or limos after 5 p.m.

Mazza Chautauqua Cellars (Westfield, N.Y.)
Hours: Monday–Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m. (September–June). Monday–Saturday 10 a.m.–8 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.–6 p.m. (July and August).
Wine Tasting: Call 716-269-3000 for pricing.
Tours: Available when a distiller is available.

Mazza Chautauqua Cellars Tasting Room, Wine Shop & Cafe (Mayville, N.Y.)
Hours: Open Monday–Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m. (May/June/September/October). Open Friday/Saturday/Monday 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m.–5 p.m. (November and December). Open Monday–Saturday 10 a.m.–8 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.–6 p.m. (July and August).
Wine Tasting: Call 716-269-3000 for pricing.
Tours: Motorcoach (up to 50 people) and group tours available. Call for an appointment.

Merritt Estate Winery (Forestville, N.Y.)
Hours: Open Monday–Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m.–6 p.m.
Wine Tasting: Call 716-965-4800 for pricing.
Tours: Free of charge. Individuals to groups of five do not need a reservation, but groups of 5+ require 24 hours notice.

Midnight Run Wine Cellars (Ransomville, N.Y.)
Hours: Friday–Sunday 12 p.m.–6 p.m., Monday and Tuesday 3 p.m.–6 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday 1 p.m.–6 p.m.
Wine Tasting: Call 716-751-6200 for pricing.

Niagara Landing Wine Cellars (Lockport, N.Y.)
Hours: Monday–Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m.–6 p.m. (May–December). Sunday–Friday 12 p.m.–6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m. (January–April).
Wine Tasting: $3 for six wines; $2.50 extra to sample ice wine.

Noble Winery (Westfield, N.Y.)
Hours: Open daily 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Wine Tasting: Call 716-326-9463 for pricing.
Tours: Offered if time permits.

Quincy Cellars Winery & Banquet Hall (Ripley, N.Y.)
Hours: Open Thursday–Monday 11 a.m.–5 p.m. (November–April). Open Thursday–Monday 10 a.m.–6 p.m. (May–October).
Wine Tasting: Call 716-736-2021 for pricing.

Schulze Vineyards & Winery (Burt, N.Y.)
Hours: Monday–Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m.–6 p.m. (May–December). Sunday–Friday 12 p.m.–6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m. (January–April).
Wine Tasting: Sparkling and dessert wines $2 each.

Sensory Winery & Art Gallery (Ripley, N.Y.)
Call 716-736-2444 for hours and pricing.

Sparkling Ponds Winery (Ripley, N.Y.)
Hours: Open daily 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Wine Tasting: Call 716-736-4525 for pricing.

Spring Lake Winery (Lockport, N.Y.)
Hours: Daily 12 p.m.–6 p.m., open Saturday at 10 a.m. during events (May–December). Friday–Sunday 12 p.m.–6 p.m. (January–April).
Wine Tasting: $3-8, including souvenir glass option.

Vetter Vineyards Winery (Westfield, N.Y.)
Hours: Open Thursday–Monday 11 a.m.–5 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday by chance or appointment.
Wine Tasting: Call 716-326-3100 for pricing.

Victorianbourg Wine Estate (Wilson, N.Y.)
Hours: Open daily 12 p.m.–6 p.m. (May–December). Friday–Sunday 12 p.m.–5 p.m. and other times by appointment (January–April).
Wine Tasting: $2 for five wines.

Vizcarra Vineyards at Becker Farms (Gasport, N.Y.)
Hours: Open daily 11 a.m.–6 p.m. (May–November 1). Open daily 12 p.m.–5 p.m. or by appointment in the winter.
Wine Tasting: $3 for four wines.

Willow Creek Winery (Silver Creek, N.Y.)
Hours: Open Monday–Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m.–5 p.m.
Wine Tasting: Call 716-934-9463 for pricing.

Woodbury Vineyards (Fredonia, N.Y.)
Hours: Open Friday and Saturday 10 a.m.–8 p.m. (tastings until 5 p.m., Happy Hours until 8 p.m.), Sunday–Thursday 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Wine Tasting: Call 716-679-9463 for pricing.
Tours: By appointment, call 716-679-9463. 48 hours notice is required.

Pennsylvania

6 Mile Cellars (Erie, Penn.)
Hours: Open Saturday 11 a.m.–5 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m.–5 p.m.
Wine Tasting: Call  814-580-8375 for pricing.

Arrowhead Wine Cellars (North East, Penn.)
Hours: Open Monday–Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m.–4 p.m. Winter and spring hours vary.
Wine Tasting: Call 814-725-5509 for pricing.
Tours: Offered to large groups and buses but must be planned in advance. Small tours available if not too busy.

Arundel Cellars & Brewing Co. (North East, Penn.)
Call 814-449-0378 for hours and pricing.

Burch Farms Country Market and Wine Shop (North East, Penn.)
Call 814-725-0747 for hours and pricing.
Tours: Offers group tours of the farm via hay wagon but not of the winery. Call in advance for reservations.

Courtyard Wineries (North East, Penn.)
Hours: Open Monday–Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m.–5 p.m.
Wine Tasting: Call 814-725-0236 for pricing and appointment.
Tours: Call in advance to schedule and for available options (e.g. private tour and tasting with the winemaker, etc.).

Heritage Wine Cellars (North East, Penn.)
Call 814-725-8015 for hours and pricing.
Tours: By appointment only and subject to personnel availability.

Lakeview Wine Cellars (North East, Penn.)
Hours: Open Monday–Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m.–5 p.m. (June–November). Open Saturday/Monday 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Tuesday/Wednesday by chance, Thursday/Friday 11 a.m.–5 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m.–5 p.m. (December–May).
Wine Tasting: Call 814-725-4440 for pricing.
Tours: Available if not too busy (better chance during weekdays).

Mazza Vineyards (North East, Penn.)
Hours: Monday–Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m. (September–June). Monday–Saturday 10 a.m.–8 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.–6 p.m. (July and August).
Wine Tasting: Call 800-796-9463 for pricing and appointment.
Tours: Available.

Penn Shore Winery and Vineyards (North East, Penn.)
Hours: Open Monday–Saturday 9 a.m.–5:30 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (September–June). Open Monday–Thursday 9 a.m.–5:30 p.m., Friday/Saturday 9 a.m.–8 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (July and August).
Wine Tasting: $1 for five samples.
Tours: Self-guided tours available when open.

Presque Isle Wine Cellars (North East, Penn.)
Hours: Open Monday–Saturday 11 a.m.–6 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.–4 p.m. (May–December). Open Wednesday–Saturday 11 a.m.–6 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.–4 p.m. (January–April).
Wine Tasting: Call 814-725-1314 for pricing.
Tours: Complimentary tours available, time permitting. Best chance is during weekdays, but call for a reservation to guarantee a spot.

South Shore Wine Company (North East, Penn.)
Hours: Open Monday–Saturday 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m.–4:30 p.m. (May–October, open until 7 p.m. in July and August). Open Monday–Friday 12 p.m.–5:30 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m.–4:30 p.m. (November–April).
Wine Tasting: Call 814-725-1585 for pricing.

Take a look at all these locations mapped out below!


View Wine Tours Throughout Western New York and Northern Pennsylvania in a larger map

Contributed by Stephanie Johnson and Ashley Steves

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