At Johnson Estate Winery, crafting exceptional New York wines begins long before the grapes ever reach the bottle. As New York’s oldest estate winery and a proud part of Lake Erie Wine Country, every vintage reflects generations of farming experience, careful vineyard management, and the unique growing conditions of Western New York wine country.
In 2009, owners Fred and Tony Johnson expanded the Estate’s vineyards by planting classic European vinifera varieties including Riesling, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir. These carefully selected grape varieties allowed the winery to deepen its portfolio of premium estate-grown New York wines while showcasing the incredible potential of the Lake Erie AVA for cool-climate viticulture.
Today, Johnson Estate continues to produce award winning wines that reflect both the terroir of Western New York and the winery’s longstanding commitment to quality from grape to bottle.
Among all the wine grapes, Pinot Noir has earned a reputation as one of the most difficult and rewarding varieties to grow. Originally from France and known for producing some of the world’s most elegant red wines, Pinot Noir thrives in cooler climate wine regions like the Lake Erie Wine Region.
The name “Pinot” comes from the French word for pinecone, referencing the grapes tightly clustered shape. According to Wine Spectator, Pinot Noir is considered delicate and “finicky,” requiring exceptional attention in the vineyard to achieve high-quality fruit capable of producing layered, expressive wines.
That description perfectly captures why the vineyard team at Johnson Estate often refers to Pinot Noir as their “Spoiled Child.”
Unlike hardier grape varieties, Pinot Noir demands precision throughout the growing season. Every decision from pruning and canopy management to crop thinning and harvest timing directly impact the final wine in the bottle.
The cool-climate conditions surrounding Lake Erie create an ideal environment for growing premium Pinot Noir grapes. The lake itself acts as a natural temperature moderator, helping protect vineyards from extreme winter cold while extending the growing season into autumn.
These conditions are one reason why the Lake Erie Wine Country has become increasingly recognized for producing exceptional New York wines, particularly aromatic whites and elegant cool-climate reds.
At Johnson Estate Winery, Winemaker Jeff Murphy and owner Fred Johnson initially selected three Pinot Noir clones for planting, each chosen for the unique characteristics it could contribute to the finished wine, from texture and body to aromatics and complexity. Today, the Estate continues cultivating two standout clones:
The first estate-grown Pinot Noir harvest arrived in 2017, marking a major milestone for the winery’s European vinifera program. Shortly after, Winemaker Jeff Murphy introduced Johnson Estate’s Dry Rosé of Pinot Noir in 2018, followed by the winery’s Brut sparkling wine in 2019.
These wines quickly demonstrated that Western New York wineries could successfully produce refined, expressive Pinot Noir wines with true regional character.
Creating award-winning Pinot Noir requires an extraordinary amount of hands-on vineyard work throughout the year.
The Johnson Estate vineyard team carefully manages the Pinot Noir blocks through:
These meticulous vineyard practices intentionally reduce crop yields from roughly five tons per acre to closer to three tons per acre. While lower yields mean fewer bottles produced, the result is significantly higher grape quality, concentration, and flavor development.
The 2022 growing season in Lake Erie Wine Country proved especially successful, producing exceptionally high-quality fruit that became the foundation for one of the winery’s most celebrated vintages to date.
The results of this dedication in both the vineyard and winery were extraordinary.
Johnson Estate Winery’s Pinot Noir has recently earned:
These awards continue to reinforce the growing reputation of both Western New York and Lake Erie Wine Country as premier wine-producing regions for cool-climate varietals.
For visitors exploring New York wineries, Johnson Estate’s Pinot Noir offers a true expression of estate-grown craftsmanship and the unique terroir of the Lake Erie region.
Whether you are discovering New York wines for the first time or planning a wine trail getaway through Western New York, Johnson Estate Winery offers guests the opportunity to experience award-winning estate wines directly where they are grown.
From vineyard tours and wine tastings to seasonal events and food pairings, Johnson Estate invites visitors to experience why the Lake Erie region continues to gain recognition among America’s great cool-climate wine destinations.
8419 West Main Rd. (Route 20)
Westfield, NY 14787
Map & Directions
March – October
10am-6pm Daily
November – February
10am-5pm Sunday-Thursday
10am-6pm Friday & Saturday
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day, and Easter
