In the world of New York wines, few styles are as rare, labor intensive, or climate dependent as true ice wine. Now, Johnson Estate Winery, New York’s oldest estate winery, has released the second vintage of its Sparkling Rosé Ice Wine, believed to be the only known Méthode Champenoise sparkling ice wine produced in North America.
Crafted in the heart of Lake Erie Wine Country, this remarkable wine combines the tradition of authentic ice wine production with the elegance and complexity of traditional Méthode Champenoise winemaking.
Ice wine is one of the most difficult and weather dependent wines produced anywhere in the world. Unlike late harvest wines, authentic ice wine can only be made when grapes freeze naturally on the vine during winter temperatures below freezing.
At Johnson Estate Winery, Vidal Blanc and Chambourcin grapes remain hanging in the vineyard well into winter, waiting for the precise moment when nature delivers the necessary cold conditions. Harvest crews often work through Lake Erie snowstorms, bitter winds, and single digit temperatures to bring in the frozen fruit before sunrise.
When pressed frozen, the grapes release only a tiny amount of highly concentrated juice bursting with natural sweetness, acidity, and flavor intensity. The result is one of the most luxurious dessert wine styles produced in New York State wine country.
The Lake Erie region is one of the few places in the world capable of producing true ice wine consistently. Alongside the Finger Lakes, Niagara Peninsula, Germany, and Austria, western New York possesses the ideal balance of vineyard climate and winter conditions necessary for ice wine production.
Sparkling ice wine is exceptionally uncommon because it combines two highly specialized winemaking methods into one bottle.
Johnson Estate Winery currently produces three different New York Ice Wines. Its Vidal Blanc Ice Wine and Chambourcin Ice Wine are traditional still ice wines, crafted without bubbles and celebrated for their rich concentration, sweetness, and intense fruit character. The winery’s Sparkling Rosé Ice Wine takes that tradition one step further by transforming authentic ice wine into a sparkling wine using the Méthode Champenoise process.
Traditional ice wine fermentation is already difficult due to the juice’s naturally high sugar concentration. Creating a sparkling version using the Méthode Champenoise process, the same bottle fermented method used in Champagne, adds another layer of complexity and craftsmanship.
Johnson Estate’s Sparkling Rosé Ice Wine undergoes secondary fermentation directly in the bottle, producing delicate natural bubbles and refined texture. Every bottle is carefully riddled, disgorged, dosed, and hand finished in 375ml bottles.
The finished wine offers vibrant fruit character, elegant effervescence, balanced sweetness, and bright acidity that keeps the wine lively and refreshing.
For wine enthusiasts exploring premium New York wines and unique sparkling wines, this release represents one of the rarest wine styles currently produced in North America.
The inspiration for Johnson Estate’s Sparkling Rosé Ice Wine began after winery owner Fred Johnson and winemaker Jeff Murphy visited Canada’s Niagara wine region and experienced sparkling ice wines firsthand.
Inspired by the possibilities of combining traditional sparkling winemaking with authentic ice wine, the winery began developing its own version using Johnson Estate grown grapes and Méthode Champenoise production techniques.
The result is a wine that highlights both the innovation of New York State wines and the unique winter terroir of Lake Erie Wine Country.
The newly released vintage has already earned national recognition.
Recently reviewed by Tastings.com, the wine received a Gold Medal and outstanding 94 point rating.
The review praised the wine’s balance, complexity, and refined sparkling character, qualities that showcase the precision required to successfully craft sparkling ice wine.
From frozen vineyard harvests during Western New York winters to the intricate bottle fermentation process used to create its fine bubbles, Johnson Estate’s Sparkling Rosé Ice Wine reflects the craftsmanship, climate, and innovation that continue to define the best New York wines.
For those seeking a truly distinctive New York dessert wine experience, this sparkling ice wine offers a rare opportunity to taste one of the most unique New York State wines being produced today.
To explore the winery’s current releases and learn more by planning a visit to Johnson Estate please visit our “Plan Your Visit Page.” The Sparkling Rose Ice Wine is also available for purchase in our online store.
Sparkling ice wine is a rare dessert wine made from naturally frozen grapes that undergo a secondary fermentation to create bubbles. Johnson Estate’s Sparkling Rosé Ice Wine combines traditional ice wine production with the Méthode Champenoise sparkling process, creating a sweet yet refreshing sparkling dessert wine with elegant bubbles and vibrant fruit character.
Ice wine is a specialty dessert wine made from grapes that freeze naturally on the vine during winter. The frozen grapes are harvested and pressed while still frozen, producing a small amount of intensely concentrated juice with rich sweetness, bright acidity, and bold fruit flavors.
Unlike many sweet wines, authentic ice wine relies entirely on natural freezing conditions rather than artificial freezing methods.
New York ice wine is unique because only a few regions in the world consistently experience the precise winter conditions required to produce true ice wine. Regions like Lake Erie Wine Country and the Finger Lakes benefit from cold winters and lake influenced climates that allow grapes to freeze naturally on the vine.
These conditions help produce balanced ice wines with both concentrated sweetness and refreshing natural acidity.
Johnson Estate Winery has a total of 13 Varieties of grapes on the Estate. However, only two are used for producing our three different ice wines, Vidal Blanc and Chambourcin grapes.
The winery’s Vidal Blanc Ice Wine and Chambourcin Ice Wine are traditional still ice wines without bubbles. Its Sparkling Rosé Ice Wine uses those same ice wine traditions while incorporating the Méthode Champenoise sparkling process to create delicate natural effervescence.
Méthode Champenoise is the traditional sparkling wine production method where secondary fermentation occurs directly inside the bottle. This process creates natural carbonation and fine bubbles.
Johnson Estate’s Sparkling Rosé Ice Wine is crafted using this traditional bottle fermented technique, which includes riddling, disgorging, dosage, and hand finishing each bottle.
Yes, sparkling ice wine is considered a dessert wine and naturally contains sweetness from the concentrated frozen grape juice. However, the wine’s bright acidity and sparkling bubbles help balance the sweetness, creating a lively and refreshing finish rather than a heavy or syrupy texture.
Sparkling ice wine is extremely rare because it combines two difficult winemaking processes. Authentic ice wine production requires specific winter weather conditions, while Méthode Champenoise sparkling production requires extensive time, labor, and technical precision.
Very few wineries in the world produce sparkling ice wine, and Johnson Estate’s Sparkling Rosé Ice Wine is believed to be the only known Méthode Champenoise sparkling ice wine currently produced in North America.
Johnson Estate Winery is located in Westfield along the shores of Lake Erie in western New York’s Lake Erie Wine Country region. The area’s cold winters and lake effect weather help create ideal conditions for producing authentic New York ice wine.
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
