Western New York: Buffalo And
The Niagara Wine Trail
Wine Trails USA
By: Jim Hofman, Owner &
Publisher
As any wine lover knows, that next great bottle
of wine can come from any of the world's great wine
producing regions.
Here at Wine Trails USA, we're dedicated to sharing with you
not only great wine regions, but also great travel
destinations. And while one of this issue's travel
destinations certainly isn't a secret, we'd also like to tell
you about a friendly, terrific city that, frankly, probably
isn't on many must see lists.
The New York State Wine Scene
Wine and grape growing have long been a part of New York
state. New York is consistently in the top 10 states in
terms of grape growing and wine production, and boasts well
over 100 wineries. Wine trails abound here, from Long
Island to the beautiful Finger Lakes, and many more. Most
of the state's climate and topography are ideally suited to
grape growing, and wine production has been thriving since the
1800's.
Western New York is an especially ideal area for wine lovers,
as the proximity to two Great Lakes creates a perfect
microclimate for wine grapes. The Niagara
Wine Trail, just minutes from Niagara Falls and
only 1/2 hour from Buffalo, boasts of 12 wineries that offer a
welcoming introduction to New York
wine.
First Stop: Niagara Falls
As we entered New York from the Pennsylvania border, we had our
hearts set on an afternoon visit to Niagara Falls. First
discovered by European settler Louis Hennepin in 1678, the
world has been beating a path here ever since. And the
Falls always delivers! The spectacular cascade of water
is a jaw dropping and awe inspiring sight.
There are numerous places to view both the Horseshoe and
American Falls, on the U.S. or Canadian side, but the best
place to truly feel the Falls is on the legendary
Maid of the Mist. Before you
step aboard, you'll be given a bright blue rain slicker,
complete with hood. As the boat chugs toward the Falls,
it will rock and bob as it churns over the turbulent
water. Ultimately, you'll be ferried to the base of the
Horseshoe Falls. Here, the true power of the Falls looms
before you, with a roar so deafening you can barely hear the
captain's dramatic announcement, "This ... is Niagara
Falls."
Of course, there are numerous places to part with your money
here, from wax museums to souvenier shops to helicopter
rides. But no matter how you choose to experience Niagara
Falls, we have just one piece of advice: Bring lots of
film!
Experiencing Buffalo: Wings And Other Great
Things
After drying off from our exhilarating Maid of the Mist
experience, it was time for the short 20 minute drive to the
Lake Erie port city of Buffalo.
From reading the brochures we'd collected beforehand, we were
intrigued by the promise of historic architecture, trendy
entertainment and shopping districts, and local food
specialties.
We checked into our downtown hotel, the convenient Best Western
Inn on the Avenue, to settle in for our 3 night stay in the
Buffalo-Niagara area. With a particular local food
specialty on our mind, we set out for a Buffalo institution,
the world famous Anchor Bar.
The Anchor Bar is, of course, known
as the origin of Buffalo wings. Since 1964, this
neighborhood gem has been turning out several chicken wing
styles, one more delicious than the next. As good as the
chicken wings are, be sure to try another Buffalo specialty,
Beef on Weck. It's a thinly sliced roast beef sandwich,
served on a specialty roll called a Kimmelweck, which is
basically a round deli style bun with course salt and onion on
top. Washed down with a pitcher of the always marvelous
Genesee Cream Ale, this is as close to heaven as you get in
western New York! If all this is making you hungry, never
fear, the Anchor Bar ships wings overnight all over the
country.
Over the course of the next three days, both before and after
winery visits, we came to experience and know Buffalo.
This is a proud, friendly city teeming with historic
architecture and lively entertainment and shopping
districts. It's also a city of four distinct
seasons. Temperatures are moderated by Lake Erie, and we
learned that the mercury has never hit 100 in Buffalo. In
winter, the area surrounding Buffalo is a skiers
paradise. So no matter your pursuit of choice, there's
something waiting for you in Buffalo. For a complete list
of things to see and do, visit our
Recommendations section
below.
Niagara Wine Trail
The Niagara Wine Trail is very convenient to both Buffalo and
Niagara Falls. From downtown Buffalo, it's less than 1/2
hour to the main cluster of wineries, situated just west of the
small village of Lockport, NY. Just take Route 425 north
from Buffalo and follow the winery signs.
There are 12 wineries on the trail, 11 of which are right in
Niagara County. Even if you don't have the opportunity to visit
all 12 as we did, take the time to enjoy the pleasant short
drive from Buffalo or Niagara Falls to see one or two.
This is agriculture country, a haven for fruit growing.
There's a sense of serenity here, with rolling breezes off Lake
Ontario just a few miles north.
The wineries here celebrate the passion of winemaking, and
you'll be in luck if the wine trail is hosting an event while
you visit. You'll find everything from Cabernet Sauvignons,
Merlots, Pinot Noirs, Rieslings, dessert wines, and fruit
wines. Of particular note, we found that most wineries on
this trail had a unique style specialty, with almost all using
grapes and fruit from the immediate area. Let's get to
know each of the 12 wineries ...
Vizarra
Vineyards: This is a great family
destination, with two outdoor patios with vineyard and
sunset views, and U-Pick opportunities from onsite
orchards. The vineyard itself is part of Becker Farms,
a well known attraction in this area.
There's a full selection of reds, whites, and specialty fruit
wines here. We enjoyed the crisp Rusty's Riesling and the
sweet Barreled Over Niagara, made from the Niagara grape common
in the region.
Eveningside
Vineyards: Eveningside is a family
farm winery (complete with gorgeous red barn!) specializing
in Chardonnays, Rieslings, and Cabernet Franc. We
particularly recommend the 2007 Riesling, an excellent
example of the style, and the Crofton Blush, a semi sweet
offering that's ideal for summer sipping.
Honeymoon Trail
Winery: Having the perfect name
for a winery in the Niagara Falls area, Honeymoon Trail
offers a beautiful setting to sample their wines. Try
the rich spicy Cabernet Franc and the White Lace, a blend of
Riesling and Cayuga White. We also took home two
bottles of Just Peachy, a crisp and fruity wine made with
New York grown peaches.
Warm Lake
Estate: Pinot Noir is the name of
the game at Warm Lake Estate. Wine Spectator
consistently praises the Pinot Noir, rating it the best of
its kind in New York. Their expansive vineyard,
hosting exclusively Pinot Noir grapes, is viewable from the
outside deck.
Arrowhead Spring
Vineyards: This alluring family
farm winery has a wide array of grapes in its vineyard,
including Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Malbec, and Chardonnay,
all of which do well in the Niagara region. The result
is some of the more spectacular wine we enjoyed on this
trip.
We loved the smooth, buttery 2006 Barrel Fermented Chardonnay
in particular. Another we added to our collection is the
Apogee Red, a delightful blend of European varietals that
stands well on its own or with a meal.
Niagara Landing Wine
Cellars: One of the older wineries
in the region, Niagara Landing offers over two dozen wine
selections along with an inviting gift shop with artwork
from local artists.
Go for the House White, a fruity blend, and the red Baco Noir,
one of the most complex berry and spice reds we've had.
Another wine worth crowing about here is Red Rooster, a smooth
drinking red blend. Last but not least, try the Boxer
Blush, named after the family's pet boxer, Sir Arthur.
Also of note, we found the prices here to be a great
bargain.
Spring Lake
Winery: The vineyard at Spring
Lake Winery is part of the peaceful 78 acre site, complete
with an 8 acre lake and numerous walking paths. We
enjoyed an invigorating 2 mile hike through the property
before ending at the Tuscan style tasting room, where we
dove in and tried the Gewurztraminer, with its bouquet of
apricot and banana. If you visit, be sure to ask about
their Wine Train excursions, a
cooperative effort between the winery and a local railroad
museum.
Chiappone Wine
Cellars: Located on a beautiful
farm setting near the small town of Newfane, Chiappone Wine
Cellars has a long tradition of winemaking over three
generations. We thought the whites were the stars
here, in particular the Morning Star, a dry but fruity
Riesling that has won numerous wine awards. Also try
Moonglow, a clean and smooth Traminette.
Schulze Vineyards and
Winery: Just a stone's throw from
the shores of Lake Ontario, Schulze Vineyards and Winery is
situated on 120 acres of beautiful farm land. When you
visit here, you'll literally experience the fresh aroma of
grapes and Lake Ontario at the same time.
In their vineyard, current plantings include Cabernet
Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Catawba, Vidal, Niagara, and
Riesling. In terms of wine, we were delighted to taste
some very interesting sparkling wines here, before moving on to
their very nicely done Cabernet Franc Nouveau and Vidal Blanc,
among others.
Freedom Run
Winery: Freedom Run Winery is
family owned and operated, with fragrant orchards
surrounding the new tasting room. When we visited, 11
wines were available. We thought the Manning Manor
Blanc was superb, a blend of Cayuga White and Vidal Blanc,
making for a pleasant and mildly sweet taste. Also we
recommend the Cabernet Franc, with big flavors of dark
cherry and blackberry. Before you leave, be sure to
see the various works of glass and pottery art, handmade by
one of Freedom Run's owners and available for purchase via
their website.
Leonard Oakes Estate
Winery: This brand new winery is the
only Niagara Wine Trail member outside of Niagara County, as
it's just over the Orleans County line, just 5 minutes from
Vizcarra Vineyards. The official grand opening is
early July, but the wines and tasting room were ready to go
when we visited a few weeks prior.
Leonard Oakes Estate wines are all produced from grapes grown
on site, and are fun and easy to drink. Try the
wonderfully complex Frontenac, with notes of dark fruit like
blackberry and plum. On the lighter side, opt for a true
taste of the region with White Oakes, a refreshing blend of
Chardonnay, Seyval Blanc, and Cayuga White.
The Winery at Marjim
Manor: Finally, we'd like to take
you to the shores of Lake Ontario to the gorgeous grounds
and setting of The Winery at Marjim Manor. The
winery's location has an interesting history, serving at
various times as a grainery, a home, and even a
convent. Some even say the place is
haunted!
The wines, though, are very upfront and friendly. Fruit
wines rule the day here, all produced from the owner's large
orchard. And this is truly a spectacular location to
taste wine and linger, with a commanding view of Lake
Ontario. We found several truly unique wines here, with
one of our favorites being Thursday Afternoon At Three, a blend
of Niagara grapes and peaches. Another was the white One
Hundred Windows, an easy to drink, fruity selection. Be
sure to take your time here ... the setting and the grounds are
stunning.
We divided these winery visits into a three day period,
visiting a maximum of four per day. The best part
about this wine trail is the close proximity of the wineries
... not only are they an easy drive from one another, but
they're very close to Buffalo as well.
The New York leg of this journey was a great combination of
rural farm wineries and city attractions. In essence, the
best of both worlds. We hope this issue piqued your
interest in this scenic and underrated wine producing area!
The Niagara Wine Trail is just one of many highly enjoyable
wine travel destinations in this part of the country. New
York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio are brimming with wineries and
wine trails, and we'll be reporting on Pennsylvania and Ohio
for our next two issues.
Until Then,
Cheers!
RECOMMENDATIONS
General Information: www.visitbuffaloniagara.com
Get an overview of the wine trail at:
www.niagarawinetrail.org
Niagara
Falls:
Without a doubt, the best way to see the Falls is on the
Maid of the Mist, www.maidofthemist.com. It's the boat ride of your life
and something you'll remember forever.
Buffalo:
Buffalo is a mix of beautiful harbor, historic architecture,
great local food specialties, and walkable entertainment and
shopping districts. Don't overlook this friendly
city!
Shopping/Entertainment
Districts:
Allentown: Located right downtown, Allentown
is interspersed with commercial activities and historic
homes. Designated a local preservation district in 1978
and listed on the National Registry of Historic Places in 1980,
Allentown is one of the first and largest residential historic
districts in the United States. www.allentown.org
Elmwood Village: Just five minutes from the
heart of downtown and basically an extension of Allentown,
Elmwood Village is a lively area with restaurants, shops,
cafes, bars, galleries surrounded by a residential
community. A great place to spend an afternoon and
evening. www.elmwoodvillage.org
Chippewa Street: In the heart of downtown,
this multi-block strip of clubs, bars, and restaurants offers
ample choices to get your groove on. Visit
www.visitbuffaloniagara.com for specifics.
Local Food
Specialties:
Anchor Bar: The absolute best in Buffalo
chicken wings. Also try the Beef on Weck sandwich.
www.anchorbar.com
Cole's: In the Elmwood Village area, Cole's is
the winner of the "Best Burger in Buffalo" award, and features
the city's best draft beer selection. This historic
Buffalo original has been pleasing palates since 1934.
Casual and friendly. We loved it here! www.meetmeatcoles.com
Watson's Chocolates: In Elmwood Village
since 1946, Watson's is a real taste of Buffalo. Try the
famous Sponge Candy, basically bits of sponge cake wrapped in
milk chocolate. They ship
nationwide.
www.watsonschocolates.com
Louie's Original Foot Long Hot Dogs:
www.louieshotdogs.com On the Elmwood Village strip,
Louie's has offered charcoal broiled hot dogs and more since
1951. We had lunch here in the midst of exploring
Elmwood Village. Go for the original hot dog, wings,
and a strawberry milkshake.
Pearl Street Grill and Brewery:
www.pearlstreetgrill.com
A great choice for dinner downtown in an historic brick
structure dating from 1841. So many good things
here! Have a Wild Ox Wheat, a hefeweizen, or a Lake
Effect, a simultaneously hoppy and fruity IPA. For lunch
or dinner, we recommend the Gouda soup, Meatloaf Marsala,
Pulled Stout BBQ Pork Sandwich, and don't forget the chicken
wings (they're really good here).
Broadway Market: Visit this venerable
city market, in operation since 1886, for breakfast from one of
the many vendors on site. www.broadwaymarket.com
Chateau Buffalo: www.chateaubuffalo.com A comprehensive wine shop offering
numerous New York State wines, as well as a "Pride of New
York" food boutique and market offering Made in New York
products. Highly recommended.
Buffalo Sights
City Hall: Visit the
Observation Deck on the top floor of this Art Deco
treasure for a spectacular view of the waterfront and
Buffalo's unique radial street design. www.city-buffalo.com
Miss Buffalo: Scenic boat rides on Lake
Erie. www.missbuffalo.com
President Millard Fillmore Home: In
nearby East Aurora, see the historic home and learn about our
13th President. www.millardfillmorehouse.org
Buffalo Architecture: Buffalo is a
treasure trove of historic architecture. See works by
Frank Lloyd Wright, Louis Sullivan, Daniel Burnham, and
more. www.wrightnowinbuffalo.com
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Winery Websites
Vizcarra Vineyards: www.beckerfarms.com
Eveningside Vineyards: www.eveningside.com
Honeymoon Trail Winery: www.honeymoontrailwinery.com
Warm Lake Estate: www.warmlakeestate.com
Arrowhead Spring Vineyards: www.arrowheadspringvineyards.com
Niagara Landing Wine Cellars: www.niagaralanding.com
Spring Lake Winery: www.springlakewinery.com
Chiappone Wine Cellars: www.chiapponecellarswinery.com
Schulze Vineyards and Winery: www.schulzewines.com
Freedom Run Winery: www.freedomrunwinery.com
Leonard Oakes Estate Winery: www.oakeswinery.com
The Winery At Marjim Manor: www.marjimmanor.com
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