Every summer in Lake Erie Wine Country, vineyards begin to transform as grape clusters shift from bright green to deep purple, blue, and golden hues. This important stage of the grape growing season is called veraison, and it marks the beginning of the ripening process that ultimately shapes the flavor, sweetness, and quality of the wine.
At Johnson Estate Winery, veraison is one of the most exciting moments of the growing season, signaling that harvest is getting closer in the vineyards of Western New York.
Taken from the French language, “veraison” refers to the moment when grapes begin changing color as they transition from growth to ripening. During this stage, the vine redirects its energy away from growing shoots and leaves and instead focuses on ripening the fruit.
Unripe grapes begin as a bright green color. As veraison begins, white wine grapes turn pale yellow or golden, while red wine grapes develop shades of red, blue, and deep purple. The berries also soften and increase in size as sugar levels rise and acidity gradually decreases.
At Johnson Estate, Pinot Noir grapes often display beautiful shades of purple during veraison, making this one of the most visually striking times in the vineyard.
Veraison plays a major role in the winemaking process because it marks the beginning of flavor development in the grapes. During this period, grapes accumulate sugars, develop aromas, and build the tannins and color compounds that influence the final wine.
Weather conditions during veraison can have a significant impact on grape quality. Warm sunny days and cool nights, which are common in the Lake Erie region, help grapes ripen gradually while maintaining balanced acidity.
For winemakers, this stage provides an early glimpse into the potential quality and style of the upcoming vintage.
The climate of Lake Erie Wine Country creates excellent conditions for grape growing in both Western New York and Pennsylvania. The moderating effect of Lake Erie helps protect vineyards from extreme temperature swings and allows grapes to ripen steadily throughout late summer and early fall.
By late September, the aroma of ripening grapes fills the region as harvest season approaches. Concord grapes, which make up a large portion of the area’s vineyards, typically ripen later in the season. However, early-ripening wine grape varieties like Pinot Noir and Maréchal Foch begin attracting attention much sooner.
These early-ripening varieties are especially important at Johnson Estate Winery, where estate-grown grapes are carefully monitored throughout the growing season.
As grapes become sweeter during veraison, birds begin searching for easy meals in local vineyards. Early-ripening grape varieties such as Maréchal Foch and Pinot Noir are often among the first targets because fewer ripe grapes are available elsewhere early in the season.
To protect the fruit, Johnson Estate uses several vineyard management techniques, including balloons, Kevlar streamers, periodic cannon shots, and recorded hawk calls designed to discourage birds from feeding in the vineyard.
These efforts help preserve grape quality as the fruit continues developing toward harvest.
Veraison is one of the most beautiful and important stages of the vineyard growing season. From the first hints of color change to the excitement of harvest, this transformation signals that another vintage is taking shape in the vineyards of Western New York.
Visitors to Johnson Estate Winery can experience the beauty of the vineyards throughout late summer and fall while exploring one of New York’s oldest estate wineries in the heart of Lake Erie Wine Country. We also offer guided tours on Saturday & Sunday mornings throughout the summer and harvest season. Check out our upcoming events calendar for more information.
Veraison is the stage in the grape growing season when grapes begin changing color and entering the ripening phase before harvest.
In Lake Erie Wine Country, veraison typically begins in August towards the end of summer as vineyards prepare for the upcoming harvest season.
As grapes ripen, chlorophyll breaks down and natural pigments develop, causing grapes to turn purple, blue, red, or golden depending on the grape variety.
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
