The Johnson Estate Winery in Erie, Pennsylvania

While vacationing in Erie Pennsylvania, I spent a day visiting wineries in the area. Lake Erie is the ideal region for growing grapes, and there are many local vinyards to visit. My day trip took me as far as Westfield New York, Where I visited the Johnson Estate Winery. Of all of the Lake Erie wines I sampled, The Johnson Estate wines captured my heart, and made me a fan for life.

The wine that I loved most from the Johnson Estate collection was Liebestropfchen, or "Little Love Drops". I purchased three bottles of a 2006 vintage. One to share with my sweetheart that evening, and two for my collection. Liebestropfchen is a rich, sweet and fruity white wine that is ideal for dessert. It is appropriately named, it tastes like you would expect a little love drop to taste!

The Johnson Estate Winery is open for public visits. It is easy to locate, travel about two miles west of Westfield New York via Route 20. For a tour visit in July or August. Year round you can stop by for sales and tastings.

Along the southern shores of Lake Erie lies the ideal grape growing region. As long blissful summertime sunlight combines with shale and gravel soil types and the nearby Allegheny Mountain region create a perfect fine wine.

The Johnson Estate Winery consists of about two hundred acres and the oldest farm winery in the area. The grapes are grown on the farm, and beautiful wines are given life here. Every aspect of producing a beautiful wine happens on the premises, from pressing and fermenting to bottling and aging the wines.

Some people I know tell me "I just don't like to drink wine!" I always assume this is because they have never sampled a quality wine. Mad Dog 20/20 is not a fine wine. When I was younger I could drink Berringer wine and Turning Leaf. Now that I am older, I realize that does not even count as a lovely wine!