Buffalo, NY, boasts several standout wineries worth exploring. Arrowhead Spring Vineyards and Freedom Run Winery are known for their exceptional reds and scenic views. Leonard Oakes Estate Winery offers a diverse selection, while Gust of Sun Winery is famed for wine and chocolate pairings. Chateau Niagara Winery provides handcrafted wines, and Spring Lake Winery combines beautiful lakeside scenery with top-quality wines. Each winery offers unique experiences, making Buffalo a notable wine destination.
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Famous Ice Wines
Niagara is famous for its ice wines. The cool climate of the region avoids extreme temperatures because of the influence of the Great Lakes. This region of Western New York, therefore, has warm summers and cool winters, which are ideal for winemaking.
To make ice wine the summer ripened grapes need to freeze on the vine during winter. The freezing concentrates the juices and provides the necessary sweetness that gets balanced with acidity to produce the intense flavoursome ice wines.
While famous for its ice wines, they are certainly not the only top quality wine produced in the region. The Buffalo wineries also produce some very good Chardonnay and Riesling white wines, and Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc red wines. The popular varieties of wine available do not stop there. Some other noted offerings available include Cabernet Sauvignon, Gamay Noir, and Vidal wines.
Niagara Wine Trail, USA
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The Niagara Wine Trail, USA, brings together almost two dozen top-class wineries. Showcasing some of the best estates and wines in the region, the Niagara Wine Trail offers an engaging experience for everyone from the beginner to the connoisseur.
Many of the wineries are less than an hour’s drive from Niagara Falls. This convenience and ease of access make them ideally suited for a day trip. Due to their proximity, such day trips could easily take in several wine estates.
Now that you’ve got a feel for the area, let’s take a look at six of the best Buffalo Wineries to indulge your taste buds.
Arrowhead Spring Vineyards
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Beautifully located along the Niagara Escarpment, Arrowhead Springs Vineyards practices sustainable farming. The delicious wines produced at this Vineyard make it a must-visit on the list of top-notch Buffalo Wineries. Arrowhead Spring Vineyards have built their reputation on the quality of their red wines.
- Address: 4746 Town Line Road, Lockport
- Opening Times: Monday – Sunday from 12-6 pm
- Telephone: (716) 434-8030
Freedom Run Winery
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Stunning scenery is complemented by a well-appointed tasting room that embodies the love of the art of winemaking. The Freedom Run Winery boasts a particularly good selection of dry vinifera wines. Of note are their award-winning Meritage and Pinot Noir blends.
Freedom Run has also established a reputation for great dessert wines and some of the best craft beer available in the region.
- Address: 5138 Lower Mountain Road, Lockport
- Opening Times: Monday – Sunday from 12-6 pm
- Telephone: (716) 867-2415
Leonard Oakes Estate Winery
Leonard Oakes comes from a family of winemakers with the Oakes family farming in Orleans County for several generations. Leonard Oakes Estate Winery presents a diverse selection of high quality wines. When visiting the Leonard Oakes Estate Winery you must sample their fantastic Pinot Noir and Riesling.
Leonard Oakes Estate Winery complements its wine selection with an indulgence of local cheeses, charcuterie, and chocolate for those with a sweet tooth.
- Address: 10609 Ridge Road, Medina
- Opening Times: Wednesday – Sunday from 12-6 pm
- Telephone: (585) 318-4418
Gust of Sun Winery
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One of the new Buffalo Wineries making a name for itself in the region. Gust of Sun Winery offers a cosy setting in its renovated Amish-style barn. Well situation at only 20 minutes from Niagara falls, this winery has made a name for itself with its spectacular wine and chocolate pairing and the presence of West Highland White Terriers around the estate.
- Address: 4515 Baer Road, Ransomville
- Opening Times: Friday from 11 am – 8 pm, Saturday – Sunday from 11 am – 6 pm
- Telephone: (716) 731-4878
Chateau Niagara Winery
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This family-owned and run winery is another must-visit in the Niagara region. Their vineyard is brilliantly situated on well-drained, sandy and gravelly soil. Combined with the local micro-climate, it’s almost perfectly suited for cultivating top-quality grapes.
Handcrafting their wines since 2010, the Chateau Niagara Winery produces some of the best quality wines in the region.
- Address: 2466 West Creek Road, Newfane
- Opening Times: Thursday – Monday from 12-5 pm
- Telephone: (716) 778-7888
Spring Lake Winery
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Spring Lake Winery is worth a visit just for the scenery. Situated on the banks of a lake, the Spring Lake Winery offers a fantastic setting for wine tasting. The beautiful scenery and setting are remarkable enough to make the Spring Lake Winery a popular event and wedding venue. Beautiful surroundings and top quality wine make the Spring Lake Winery another of the must-visit wineries in the Niagara region.
- Address: 7373 Rochester Road, Lockport
- Opening Times: Friday – Sunday from 12-5 pm
- Telephone: (716) 439-5253
The last couple of years has shown varied and interesting wine industry trends in the international scene. And there has been a massive improvement in global wine tourism after its pandemic induced 70% drop off.
Our showcase above of Buffalo wineries shows you that there you don’t have to travel to Europe to enjoy top quality wines. Buffalo wineries, along with all the other Western NY wineries amply demonstrate that there are world-class offerings to be had locally.
So, the next time you are visiting Niagara Falls and want to treat your taste buds, take the time to visit some of the local western NY wineries and taste some of the best Buffalo wines currently available.
Born amidst the rolling vineyards of Napa Valley, Chloe’s love for wine was instilled from a young age. This passion led her to the picturesque wine regions of France, where she immersed herself in the rich wine culture and traditions.
Chloe’s dedication to the craft culminated in her becoming a wine sommelier, a testament to her deep knowledge and appreciation for wines.