Read it on the Grapevine

For miles and miles, grape vineyards sprawl along the southern coast of Lake Erie in western Pennsylvania and western New York. Small, mostly family owned, award winning wineries are the only break in the landscape separating the neat, and well kept rows of grapes. Festivals are monthly events, wine tasting tours are daily in this, perhaps, the second largest wine producing area in the U.S., second to California.

In the autumn, during the harvest, the air is rich with aroma of grapes and the sounds of the hustle and bustle of harvest time. I still recall those days when I was just a young teenager, getting my working permit from the Public Library, and boarding a bus ( free) for the short half hour ride to work in the grape fields. My friends and I got to know many of the migrant workers and every year we always looked forward to seeing them again and working together in the vineyards.

My very first paycheck, I bought a new pair of shoes and a hair cut, I think it was called a duck-tail back then, sometime before bell bottoms were the rage. Every year since then, when I return for one of the festivals or purchase a bottle of wine, those thoughts from decade ago flood back, like it was just yesterday, and the area is still rich with a hometown approach to all.

Today, there are more small wineries than when I worked those vineyards. Back then, most of the grapes went to a grape juice and jelly factory, Welsch's, which today still remains a vibrant processor. It seemed many homes made their own home made wine; we were never strangers to wine, for family Sunday dinners, it was a staple.

` Today, there are some two dozens wineries in a sixty mile long corridor from Erie, Pa to Silver Creek, New York. Many are located along U.S. Routes 5 and 20 and some further inland. The corridor is bordered on the north by Lake Erie and to the south the rolling hills of the Allegany Plateau Escarpment. The deep purple Concord Grape, a native American variety, is the most common grape grown, however, there are dozens of vineyards which harvest other varieties

The wineries are generally open every day of the week and most offer free samples. At times, when the sample is an expensive wine, a small fee will be charged which will be deducted from the purchase of the bottle. Often, the wineries will sell in season harvest items, such as cherries, peaches and apples, and homemade specialty products such as hot pepper jelly (great on crackers with a bottle of white wine).

There are many wineries in the Erie County, Pennsylvania section, which would be considered the "hometown" area, although the New York wineries are just a short distance.

The oldest is the South Shore Winery, established in the 1860's. It has recently been re-established. Wine tasting rooms are in the historic stone cavern and cellar, in this first commercial winery in Erie County.

The newest winery is Courtyard Winery which produces two very distinctive wines which can be sampled in two separate rooms.

Arrowhead Winery has tours by appointment, sales and tasting daily. It is located next to Mobilias Farms Market which is open from July to November 1.

Heritage Wine Cellars produces 53 varieties of wine. The wines range from a very dry Cabaret to the sweetest Concord and Ice.

Lakeview Winery located a short distance from scenic Lake Erie ages it's wines in oak barrels. The winery has a picnic area available for guests.

Mazza Vineyards has been producing award winning wines since 1973 including Ice Wine. Tours and tasting are available throughout the year. Mazza Vineyards is well respected for it's Ice Wine.

PennShores Winery is also one of the oldest wineries in Pennsylvania. Wine tasting and tours are available seven days a week.

Presque Isle Winery makes a large variety of wines and has tasting and tours every day of the week. The winery is also a good source for wine making supplies and is reputed to be one of the largest sources in the country.

In Pennsylvania wine country, visitors will discover the locations of other, small, family owned wineries in the region, which produce distinctive and quality wines. New York wineries also have noteworthy wineries which can be discovered at, Wine. Some of the wineries have specialized wines from locally grown berries and other fruits and vegetables. My winter time favorite is hot pepper wine, a great addition to a snowshoe journey on a bright January day or added to chili. Tomato wine is also a distinctive and interesting beverage. These wineries can be discovered a few miles inland from the grape growing belt.

A visit to the southern shores of Lake Erie's Grape Growing Region can be a one day event or, better, a weekend get-away. There are dozens of overnight accommodations, including bed and breakfast facilities, as well as, some of the best restaurants to be found anywhere.

For a great, relaxing get away weekend, or a road trip, the Southern lake Erie Grape Region, won't disappoint.