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.
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.
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.
Our Gold Medal wines showcase the breadth of our portfolio — from dry whites to sparkling wines to cool‑climate reds.
Our Silver Medal wines reflect strong craftsmanship and varietal clarity across both estate-grown and regionally sourced fruit.
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.
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
