Main Course | Soup

Turkey and Vegetable Soup

Serves
6

Difficulty 
Easy

Cook Time
3 Hours

This homemade soup from Jane Brody’s The Good Food Book is well-worth the effort and freezes well. Pair with Johnson Estate’s Freelings Creek Chardonnay, a loaf of crusty bread, and salad for a complete meal!
Ingredients

Ingredients For Stock:

  • 1 turkey carcass, broken into pieces
  • Pan juices or leftover gravy
  • 12 cup water (cover carcass completely)
  • 2 medium onions, chopped
  • 2 ribs of celery, diced with leaves
  • 1/2 cup diced carrots
  • 1/2 cup well-washed leek
  • 1/2 cup diced turnip
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • 1 tsp salt
  • Bouquet garni with six springs parsley, 1⁄2 tsp thyme, and 1 bay leaf

Ingredients For Soup:

  • 2 tbsp minced onion
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • 1 tbsp butter or oil
  • 1/2 cup diced carrots
  • 1/2 cup diced celery
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped mushrooms
  • 1 1/2 tbsp flour
  • 6-7 cups of turkey stock
  • 1 tsp marjoram
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 cup cooked barley or rice
  • 1 cup turkey meat
  • 2 tbsp parsley
Directions

Combine all stock ingredients in a large pot, bring to boil, and simmer, partially covered, for 2 to 3 hours (or longer). Strain and skim off the fat. If desired, remove all of the bones, reserving any turkey meat. Discard herbs and blend the mixture to use as flavoring in a stew or sauce.

To make your soup, start by Sautéing onion and garlic in oil until soft. Add carrots, celery, and mushrooms and cook the vegetables, stirring, 3 to 5 minutes longer. Add flour and while stirring, cook for another minute. Add the stock, herbs, and rice. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to simmer for about 1 hour. Add meat and hot pepper sauce, adjust seasonings. Sprinkle with parsley before serving.

Main Course | Soup

Gingered Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato Soup

Pairing

Seyval Blanc

Serves
0

Difficulty 
Easy

Cook Time
1 Hour

A good soup for an Autumn’s Day. Garnish with cilantro or sage butter and serve with Johnson Estate’s Seyval Blanc.
Ingredients
  • 1 whole butternut squash
  • 1 sweet potato
  • 2 onions
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • 3 tbsp minced ginger
  • 1 tbsp curry (optional) Maple syrup to taste (I usually skip this and add an apple for sweetness instead)
  • 5 quarts of chicken broth, best if homemade
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • cilantro or sage for garnish
Directions

Place squash in a baking dish whole, taking a knife and puncturing it two or three times. Wrap sweet potato in tin foil. Bake both at 350ºF until tender (potato will likely be done in 1 hour, squash may take longer).

When cool, remove flesh from both and mash with a fork. Set aside. Sauté chopped onion and ginger until just translucent and then put this mixture in the soup pot with the mashed squash and chicken broth. Cook roughly an hour. Add more broth, water, or cream if you prefer to get the consistency you wish.

Can be puréed in a food processor or with a stick blender to get a smoother consistency. Add salt and pepper to taste and garnish with cilantro or sage butter. Serve immediately, but can be stored in refrigerator several days.

Dessert

Blueberry-Concord Grape Tart

Serves
10

Difficulty 
Easy

Cook Time
30min

Everyone loves lemon bars. Here is the Concord grape equivalent, topped with fresh Chautauqua County blueberries. Use Growers’ Grape Cooperative’s Concord grape filling in this easy recipe.
Ingredients - Corn Meal Crust
  • 1 cup white flour
  • 2 tbsp ground flax seeds
  • ½ cup cornmeal
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 3 tbsp sugar
  • ½ cup butter, cold from the refrigerator; cut into 8-10 slices
  • 3-4 tablespoons cold water
Ingredients - Concord Grape Filling
Directions

CORNMEAL CRUST:

Mix all dry ingredients in a food processor and then add the butter and mix until pebbly. Then add water and process until the dough sticks together. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for about an hour. Roll out the dough between two sheets of wax or parchment paper and lay it in a tart pan, ideally lined with parchment paper. Trim edges, doubling over and tidying as necessary. Pre-bake tart shell for about ten minutes at 375ºF. Do not permit to over-brown as the crust will be baked additionally with the topping.

TOPPING:

Beat eggs until light-colored. Gradually beat in sugar until the mixture is slightly thickened. Add the half jar of filling and water, beating until thoroughly mixed. Pour into pre-baked shell. Add blueberries if you like at this point or bake approximately 30 minutes at 350ºF. Filling will rise as it cooks, so do not overfill. Once tart has cooled, arrange fresh or frozen blueberries on top, pressing lightly into the cooked filling. For a “Red, White, & Blue” Dessert: Serve tart on a plate and drizzle Raspberry Coulis on the plate for the “red” decoration. Add a generous squirt of whipped cream –

Blog

Johnson Estate Shines at the 2026 Los Angeles International Wine Competition

Semi-Dry Riesling Best of Class

Each year, the Los Angeles International Wine Competition brings together some of the most respected judges and wine professionals in the world. Hosted at Fairplex in Pomona, California, the competition has been a benchmark for wine evaluation for decades, featuring entries from across the globe, and culminating in a public showcase at the LA County Fair. This year, Johnson Estate Winery earned one of its strongest showings to date. 

This year’s results include four Best of Class awards, nine Gold Medals, and five Silver Medals, spanning sparkling wines, aromatic whites, dry Rieslings, and red blends. These achievements highlight both the craftmanship of our winemaking & vineyard team and the distinctive character of Lake Erie fruit. 

A Winemaker Recognized on Both Sides of the Table

For the past several years, our winemaker Jeff Murphy has been selected as a judge for the Los Angeles International Wine Competition. This role reflects his respected palate and deep industry experience. Jeff has been our winemaker for over 20 years and has been instrumental in the development in our vast portfolio of award-winning wines. 

Judging takes place over several days at Fairplex, where experts evaluate wines through blind tastings across numerous divisions and categories. Jeff’s participation gives him invaluable insight into internationally recognized brands techniques and products that he brings back to our cellar and uses to reinforce the high standards that guide our winemaking. Jeff is also able to attend seminars, speak with international vendors, and learn about new technologies and industry trends when he attends the competition.  

Best of Class Winners

This year we have four wines that rose to the top of their categories, a remarkable achievement in a competition of this scale. 

Sweet white wine with a fresh and fruity grape flavor.

Sweet and fruity, deep and rich with pronounced grape flavors and a silky mouth feel. An intensely flavored Estate Grown regional wine. 

Estate grown and handcrafted in the traditional “méthode champenoise.” Bright and fruity with intense aromas of passion fruit, guava and rose. 

Semi-dry, perfectly balanced fruity Riesling. Bright and aromatic with melon and peach notes. 

Remaining Six Gold Medal Winners

Our Gold Medal wines showcase the breadth of our portfolio — from dry whites to sparkling wines to cool‑climate reds.

  1. Riesling, Black Locust 2024 — Gold, 92 Points Barrel‑kissed elegance with depth and structure.
  2. The Queen’s Catawba Sparkling — Gold, 92 Points A refreshing, lightly effervescent tribute to a historic grape.
  3. Marechal Foch 2023 — Gold, 90 Points A smooth, dark‑fruited cool‑climate red with soft tannins.
  4. Founders Red 2022 — Gold, 90 Points A heritage‑inspired blend recognized for richness and balance.
  5. Dry Riesling 2024 — Gold, 90 Points Crisp, mineral‑driven, and consistently one of our most awarded dry whites.
  6. Chardonnay, Toasted Oak 2023 — Gold, 90 Points Warm oak, creamy texture, and bright acidity in perfect harmony.

Five Silver Medal Winners

Our Silver Medal wines reflect strong craftsmanship and varietal clarity across both estate-grown and regionally sourced fruit.

  1. Maple Dessert Wine — Silver A Lake Erie original with rich, warm character.
  2. Chardonnay, Bright Steel 2024 — Silver Clean, crisp, and fruit‑forward — a beautiful expression of unoaked Chardonnay.
  3. Pinot Noir, Freelings Creek Reserve 2023 — Silver Elegant, structured, and distinctly cool‑climate in style.
  4. Cabernet Sauvignon, Vintners’ Select 2022 — Silver Classic varietal character with a smooth, approachable finish.
  5. Chambourcin, Freelings Creek Reserve 2024 — Silver Dark fruit, spice, and balance in a reserve‑level bottling.

A Celebration of Lake Erie Wine Country

These results reflect more than medals. They highlight the strength of our region, the dedication of our vineyard and cellar teams, and the legacy of New York’s oldest estate winery, now in its third generation of family stewardship.

From heritage grapes like Niagara and Concord to world‑class Rieslings and expressive cool‑climate reds, Johnson Estate continues to demonstrate that Lake Erie Wine Country is a region capable of producing wines worthy of national and international recognition.

We look forward to sharing these award‑winning wines with you in our tasting room, online, and at events throughout the year. Our tasting room is open all year 7 days a week. 

DRINK

Golden Peach Bellini

Serves
0

Difficulty 
Easy

Cook Time
0

Made with Johnson Estate Freelings Creek Reserve Sparkling Traminette and Passionate Peach.
Ingredients
  • 1/4 cup Johson Estate Passionate Peach
  • 1/4 cup peach juice or peeled and pureed fresh peaches
  • 1/4 cup Johnson Estate Sparkling Traminette
  • twist of orange
Directions

For simplicity sake, this is equal amounts of three ingredients:

First, peel the peach and then purée it in the food processor. Chill a couple of hours in the refrigerator.  When ready to serve, add the purée to each glass, then add Passionate Peach Wine, and top with sparkling wine of choice.  Serve immediately.

In the Spring, when May Wine is available, you can also substitute our Sparkling Traminette for our May Wine. If you chose this variation, we recommend using orange juice instead of Peach juice. 

Appetizer

Creamy White Bean and Garlic Soup with Rosemary

Serves
0

Difficulty 
Easy

Cook Time
0

From Peter Berley’s book, The Modern Vegetarian Kitchen. Pair with Johnson Estate Freelings Creek Dry or Semi-Dry Riesling.
Ingredients
  • 1 whole garlic bulb, cloves separated but unpeeled
  • 1/4 cup and one tsp of olive oil
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp ground coriander
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/4 tsp freshly milled black pepper
  • 1/8 tsp turmeric
  • pinch of cayenne pepper
  • 2 cup cooked chickpeas
  • 3 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 2 1/2 tsp coarse sea salt
Directions

This is Chef and writer Peter Bierly’s recipe for Roasted Garlic Hummus. Great hors d’oeuvre that is gluten-free; serve with celery sticks, carrots, or even snap peas.

Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Toss the garlic with a teaspoon of the oil, wrap in a piece of foil, and roast for one hour.

While the garlic roasts, combine the remaining 1⁄4 cup oil with the onion in a small pan and cook over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring until the onion softens. Reduce the heat to low and add the coriander, cumin, black pepper, turmeric, and cayenne. Cook gently for 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat.

When the garlic is done, remove it to a plate to cool. Squeeze the pulp from the skin directly into the onion mixture.

In the bowl of a food processor fitted with a metal blade, combine the onion mixture, chickpeas, lemon juice, and salt. Puree until smooth, adding a bit of the chickpea cooking liquid or water if necessary to achieve desired consistency.

Serve chilled or at room temperature with toasted pita, sliced cucumbers, and other vegetables. Makes a great spread for wraps. Sun-dried tomato oil or other flavored/herbed oil can be drizzled on top of this hummus to great effect.

Main Course | Soup

Creamy White Bean and Garlic Soup with Rosemary

Pairing

Chambourcin

Serves
0

Difficulty 
Easy

Cook Time
1 Hour

A good soup for a winter’s day paired with Chambourcin. Featuring garnishes of Smoked Applewood Bacon & Garlic.
Ingredients
  • 2 cup dried Great Northern beans, sorted, soaked, and rinsed
  • 6 cup cold water (or more as needed)
  • 1 celery rib with leaves, halved
  • 3-inch piece of kombu
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 onions, thinly sliced
  • 7 plump garlic cloves, peeled and left whole
  • 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh or dried rosemary
  • 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice (to taste)
  • coarse sea salt
  • freshly milled black pepper
Directions

Combine beans and water and bring to a boil. Skim off and discard any foam that rises to the top. Add the celery, kombu, and bay leaf. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, covered, for 30 minutes.

In a sauté pan over medium heat, warm the oil. Add the onions, garlic, rosemary, and a pinch of salt. With a wooden spoon, turn the vegetables several times to coat them with oil. Cover, reduce the heat to low, and cook gently for 30 minutes, or until the onions and garlic are meltingly tender.

Remove the celery, kombu, and bay leaf from the beans and discard. Scoop out 1 cup of the bean water. Add the onion mixture to the beans, then deglaze the sauté pan with the bean water. Return this to the soup and continue simmering until the beans are tender and crush easily when pressed against the side of the pot with the back of a spoon, 45 minutes to an hour.

Pass the soup through the fine holes of a food mill, purée with a handheld immersion blender, or purée in a food processor.

Add additional water to thin the soup to desired consistency. Add the lemon juice, salt, and pepper to taste. Serve piping hot.

Garnish with chopped parsley, and if desired, crispy pieces of smoked bacon. Serve with croutons, crostini, or slices of baguettes.

Appetizer

Chili Roasted Pecans

(From Eating Well Magazine) A medley of warm spices tempered with a touch of brown sugar is a great match for rich, nutritious pecans. They make a perfect nibble with a drink before dinner or afterward with a cup of espresso.
Ingredients
  • 1 1/2 tbsp Chili Powder 
  • 1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp ground coriander
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp brown sugar 
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 cup pecan halves 
  • 1 1/2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce 
  • 1/2 tsp salt and pepper
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice (one lemon worth) 
  • 2 tbsp lemon zest 
  • 1 tsp curry powder
Directions

Preheat oven to 275°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

Combine chili powder, cumin, coriander, paprika, brown sugar and garlic powder in a small bowl. Toss pecans and Worcestershire sauce in a large bowl. Sprinkle the spice mixture over the pecans, tossing to coat. Spread the spiced nuts on the prepared baking sheet.

Bake the pecans, tossing every 8 to 10 minutes, until lightly browned and very fragrant, about 35 minutes. Transfer to a bowl; sprinkle with salt and toss well. Let cool.

Tip: Refrigerate chili pecans in an airtight container for up to 1 month.

Main Course

Carbonnade, A Belgian Beef Stew

Difficulty
Easy

Serves
6

Cook Time
3.5 Hours

Owners Jennifer and Fred Johnson, both attended graduate school in Belgium (at different times), where Carbonnade is a traditional beef stew made with beer instead of red wine. Rich and aromatic, the sauce is excellent with crispy baguettes or rice. If you don’t want to drink beer, pair this stew with Founders Red or other dry red wine.
Ingredients
  • 2 lb chuck roast or stewing beef, in 1 1/2 in cubes
  • Salt and Pepper 
  • 3 Large Onions
  • 3 tbsp Butter and/or olive oil
  • 1/4lb minced salt pork or bacon (optional) 
  • 4 Peeled and finely chopped garlic cloves
  • 4 tbsp flour 
  • 2 tbsp thyme
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1tbsp apple cider vinegar 1
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley 
  • 2 cups beef or chicken broth 
  • 2 cups beer or ale
  • 1 tsp salt 
  • 1/8 tsp fresh ground pepper 
  • 1/2lb sliced mushrooms or vegetables (optional). 
Directions

1.  Pat cubed meat dry with a paper towel. Lightly season with salt and pepper and then dredge in flour.
2.  In a large skillet, sauté the bacon, until cooked but not too crispy. Remove from pan and drain the strips on a paper towel.
3.  Use the bacon grease, or if you prefer the butter and oil, to brown the meat in the same skillet. Turn once to brown on both sides. Remove the meat from the pan and then add chopped onions and garlic and sauté until translucent.
4.  Next, in a large roasting pan with a lid (or the same skillet plus aluminum foil), add the meat, beer, parsley, vinegar, thyme, and bay leaves to the pot with the onions. Simmer in the oven for three hours or so, stirring occasionally. The thin broth will gradually turn browner and become slightly thick. If using mushrooms, add them at the end when you check for the need for additional salt and pepper. Cook an additional ten minutes.
5.  Serve on a hot platter with the sauce. Liberally sprinkle with additional chopped parsley.
Cheers!

Blog

THE ESTATE FARMHOUSE HISTORY

1881 Farmhouse
Construction of the 1822 Farmhouse by William Peacock

Johnson Estate’s red brick farmhouse was built in 1822 by William Peacock, a land surveyor and employee of the Holland Land Company.  He died owning a very large portfolio of parcels of land.  While William Peacock lived in Mayville, the house in Westfield, optimally sited for excellent fruit production, was occupied by his brother and eventually William’s niece, Margaret Peacock.  She lived in the farmhouse until she died in 1890.  Here’s a lithograph of the house circa 1868.  The house and farm were purchased by Frederick William Johnson in about 1910-11. 

CENTURY FARM - THREE GENERATIONS

First Generation | Frederick William Johnson

In the late 1800s, an English orphan named Frederick William Johnson immigrated to Western Canada from England as a teenager and then found his way to Cornell University to study entomology (deemed Class of 1901) and later worked for the Department of Agriculture. In 1910-11, Johnson purchased the house and farm in Westfield NY which he named Sunnyslope Farm and grew peaches, pears, apples, and cherries.  He also grew Concord and Niagara grapes. Johnson worked as an entomologist with the Department of Agriculture in both Washington, D.C. and in North East, PA, where he met his wife, Nan Scouller. In 1920, he built an apple cold-storage facility using timber from an 1860’s dairy barn found on the farm. This building now houses our tasting room. According to family lore, Johnson started making wine in the basement of the farmhouse during Prohibition. 

Second Generation | Frederick Spencer Johnson (1921-1998)

Second-generation family member, Frederick Spencer Johnson (1921-1998), grew up on the farm and served in World War II as a naval aviator, graduated from Cornell University in 1946, and then raised his family overseas while working for the Rockefellers’ agricultural endeavors in Latin America. He returned to the farm in 1960 after his father died, removed aging fruit orchards, and was the first farmer or “pioneer” in Western New York to plant wine grapes (Chancellor, Seyval Blanc, Chambourcin, Vidal Blanc, and Marechal Foch) in the region. At the time, the Lake Erie Wine Country was dominated by Concord and Labruscan juice grapes. Frederick opened the winery in 1961, receiving New York Farm Winery License No. 2 in his father’s apple cold storage building. Johnson Estate is recognized as New Yorks State’s oldest Estate Winery. In the 1980’s, he also added an additional tank building which is still used today. 

Third Generation | Fredrick Jr, Elizabeth, and Anthony

Upon the death of Fred Sr. in 1998, the third generation of Johnsons, Frederick Jr., Elizabeth and Anthony, all Cornell graduates, inherited the farm and began to oversee the winery operations, the planting of new Riesling vineyards, and the construction of a new finished goods warehouse. This era also marked a significant expansion of the Johnson Estate portfolio; since 1998, the winery has diversified its selection to include specialized fruit, sparkling, and ice wines, reflecting a modern evolution of the family’s viticultural tradition.

In 2011, Frederick Johnson Jr. purchased his siblings’ interests and became, with his wife Jennifer, owner of the farm and winery. They completed a renovation of the tasting room in 2011, just in time for the celebration of the operation’s 50th anniversary. Johnson Estate Winery was awarded a Century Farm designation from the New York State Agricultural Society in 2018.  Today the Estate grows two additional vitus vinifera grapes:  Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Continuing the Estate Tradition

Today, the legacy of the Johnson Estate continues to thrive under the stewardship of the third generation. Frederick Jr. and Jennifer now reside full-time in the original 1822 red brick Estate Home. For them, living within these historic walls is more than just a nod to the past; it is a daily commitment to the legacy of the farm and a vital link to the century of family history that preceded them. As they look out over the vineyards from the same vantage point as William Peacock and Fred Sr., they ensure that the story of this Century Farm remains as vibrant and enduring as it was in 1822. 

Connect

8419 West Main Rd. (Route 20)
Westfield, NY 14787
Map & Directions

Hours

March – October
10am-6pm Daily

November – February
10am-5pm Sunday-Thursday
10am-6pm Friday & Saturday

Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day, and Easter

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