In the recent Eastern swing state, we found abundant clusters of wineries and wine trails along the southern and eastern edges of Lake Erie, from Ohio to New York. Along the way, a small area in Pennsylvania waiting for wine offers passengers the opportunity to visit some of the most prominent wineries Keystone State. This area is part of the Chautauqua Lake Erie Wine Trail, one of 11 wine trails, including Pennsylvania wineries.
Like most states in this generallygeographical area, Pennsylvania has a long history of grape growing and wine production. Currently, the state is the fourth nationally in grape production and eighth in total wine production. As expected, there are plenty of wineries to explore Pennsylvania, the state varied topography offers many different types of grapes and wines.
Erie: Pennsylvania Great Lake port city
Fresh off a very pleasant stay in Buffalo and Niagara Falls, we hopped onI-90 to 90 miles short trip across the border in Erie, Pennsylvania, the only Great Lake port city.
We would like finally to Erie in late 1980, and the change is dramatic and easily recognizable. Harborfront, once home to the railyards and heavy industry, now welcomes the target, blending nicely with the eclectic and diverse city center.
Erie has become a destination for several reasons. This small town, population just over 100,000, is located at the crossroadstwo major interstates. Almost directly between Buffalo and Cleveland, Erie has big city amenities with small town ease of navigation.
And of course there's port and tempering effects of Lake Erie, Great Lakes, which has sprung back to life in recent decades. Very scenic Presque Isle State Park extends from downtown to Lake Erie, protects the port and serves as a naturalist's paradise. With many items on our sightseeing program, we settledthe aptly named Erie Lighthouse Inn for three nights stay.
Arriving at lunch time, signaled the waterfront. We opted for lunch at Sloppy Duck Saloon on Bayfront Parkway Erie with a perfect view of Bay and Presque Isle. Two plates of steamed mussels, sauteed calamari, and lake perch sandwich put us in the right frame of mind to look around Presque Isle State Park.
Presque Isle State Park, a French term meaning "near" the island, extending nearly 7 milesLake Erie. We opted for a 90 minutes boat trip, which enables us to embrace the park and enjoy Lake Erie and Erie Bay from the water. If you are a swimmer or sunbather, you have 13 beaches in the selection and recommendation by Conde Nast Traveler magazine for good measure. Hiking, canoeing, picnicking, bird watching and there are other readily available options. Designated a national natural landmark, Presque Isle welcomes more than 4 million visitors annually. Top it with a visit to the topof waterfront Bicentennial Tower, providing a 360 ° view of Lake Erie, Presque Isle, Erie and Central. To make a point to visit here!
Approaching late afternoon, it was time to reaquainted city Erie. First stop = Erie Brewing Company, tasting local microbrewer offers Friday and Saturday 3-6 hours, you can find their beer in several states surrounding Pennsylvania. We recommend their flagship brew, Railbender But, with summer and Sunshine WitHoppy citrus Misery Bay Pale Ale.
Downtown Erie
What a pleasant surprise to rediscover the heart of Erie! Not only harborfront area was revitalized, but the adjacent downtown district is now offering all kinds of shops, restaurants and performance venues. Downtown Erie is reasonably compact and very walkable, and parking is a breeze. About 14 blocks of 4 blocks wide, downtown Erie organizes frequent block parties, and is a center of entertainmentoptions.
Erie State Street is the main thoroughfare in the center, bisecting the center of the South Bayfront. Most shops, pubs, restaurants and cafes are on or near State Street. Walk the field, as we did, and pop in anywhere strikes your fancy.
Our first night's dinner was very pleasant Plymouth Tavern, in the center of support for 35 years. Conveniently located in the 11th and state, this friendly local serving in some of the best chicken wings wetasted. Their beer list is impressive you're wondering what to try next, but remember the food menu. There are food and drink specials every night, and plenty to choose from. If in doubt, opt for one of the deli sandwiches or our favorite, Philly chicken, stuffed with grilled chicken, sauteed onions and melted provolone.
After several stops throughout the evening, it was time to renew the program for our tomorrow, full of attractions and wineries Erievisits.
The next morning after breakfast, we decided on a couple of hours at the Erie Zoo and Botanical Gardens. This combination zoo and gardens, it's a great idea, and something cities should be considered. Wander around this 15 acres of parkland and view over 400 animals and thousands of plants. If you're lucky, your visit will coincide with one of the zoo has many educational programs are designed so that visitors up-close and personal with animals. Check their website for moredetails.
Winery of the Chautauqua Wine Trail: Day One
From the zoo, this is a short 15 miles to the east path to a beautiful Victorian themed town of the North, home to 5 wineries in the Pennsylvania portion of the route.
As you enter the north, you see, and even catch the scent of thousands upon thousands of grape vines. Agriculture and grape growing are a source of pride in the Community here. In fact, Welch is a bunch Company has its manufacturing plant in the northeast andvarious festivals celebrating the wine and other crops. The rolling terrain and proximity to Lake Erie, to an ideal grape growing climate.
In our sights on the afternoon were two of the oldest wineries Pennsylvania, Penn Shore Vineyards and Wine Cellars Presque Isle.
Penn Shore Vineyards, open since 1970, is one of the first winery, located in Pennsylvania. It's a big, friendly place that offers tours to several hundred people each day. Wine tour takes youcellars, bottling operations, and finally tasting room.
Penn Shore offers all sorts of wines available and a few surprises as well. There is a wide range of red, white and sparkling wine. We enjoyed Bianca, partially dry white and a rich taste and Burgundy. We also bought a bottle of Champagne Penn Shore, and we wish to buy more. Dry but not too dry, and perfectly carbonated, we thought it was much better than many imported champagne.
Presque IsleWine cellar is another veteran Pennsylvania, having opened its doors in 1968. Winery is just part of a business here, as Presque Isle is also well known as a wine and grape juice delivery service.
When you visit, try Falling Waters Champagne for a real taste of this area is terrible. It is sparkling white, with a pleasant fruity finish. Will not be outdone, Freeport is red, which practically explodes with rich Berry flavor and aroma. Finally, we recommendReflections of Lake Erie white blend Riesling, Vidal, and Cayuga.
Approaching the mid-late afternoon, it was back to Erie to visit a sweet treat other original Erie, Romolo chocolate. This local chocolate manufacturer and retail facilities and is renowned for its excellent chocolate. Spend some time here and buy a box or two ... Chocolate and wine are great companions!
Evening in Erie
At dinner, it was back downtown to stop at BrewErieat Union Station, located on the 14th Street one block west of the country. Located in the historic train station, BrewErie is an ideal place to enjoy the local beer, fresh and affordable food. Entrees are served with salad and muffins grains from brewing operation. Try Union Station Platter, a combination of corned beef, beer brats, and beer marinated steak. Yum and then some!
With daylight still with us, and great food to work off, walk right. State StreetBill sits! You can meander up and down the block, bury our heads in any number of shops, bars or cafes. Sherlocks Park Place 5th state and offers live music, or choose to live in Erie Playhouse Theatre on 10 Street. For shopping, there are accents in the bay on the 5th Street, Erie, and is family owned treasure, Kraus Commercial Street Parade House, in business since 1886.
Winery: Day Two
Morning brought another beautiful day, perfect for wine touring.Three were in the shop per day, but first we spent several hours on the Tom Ridge Environmental Center at the gateway to Presque Isle.
This "green" living center, free to the public, is designed to educate visitors about Presque Isle, and other important environmental issues. FRICTION is an interactive experience, with an orientation film, introducing visitors to the natural wonder that is Presque Isle.
Plan for several hours on the friction. There's a great character shop and gallery,cafe, educational shows and much more. We really came to appreciate the efforts of various environmental agencies are located here, and learn more about the beautiful Presque Isle.
After a quick bite on the Sunset Cafe FRICTION it was off to visit the North East of the remaining three wineries on the part of the Pennsylvania Chautauqua Lake Erie Wine Trail.
First stop was the heritage wine cellars, with a history, vineyard rows in proliferating this area. This family farm andWinery is run by the sixth generation of family members Bostwick, whose ancestors bought their 100 acres of fruit farm in 1805.
Open as a winery since 1976, the vineyard is very Concord grapes, most of which are used for juice. Some of them are used in wine making as well, so plan to stop here to taste some of the freshest pure wines at the wine trail.
We felt the red starred here. We especially liked the red Solebury, unique partially dry with a light red berry fruit finish. LikeBlush was a nice, easy drinker ideal for picnics or a Happy Hour. If you are in Erie and could not get to the winery, you can buy wine heritage in Millcreek Mall, the largest shopping mall in this area.
Next up was the Arrowhead Wine Cellars. Owners Nick and Kathy movables harvest grapes, most wineries themselves directly from their farms 250 acres of North East. This is indeed objective, with a large gift shop with all sorts of interesting items and fruit standnext. Rich Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and crisp fresh and sweet Concord is one of the few we tasted. Be sure to stop at the fruit stand - ideal for afternoon refreshments in the middle.
Last, but certainly not least in this way was Mazza Vineyards. Since 1973, the Mazza family, proudly produces some of the finest wines in a Germanic style anywhere. Upon arrival you will be greeted in the beautiful Mediterranean-style main building, where you can opt for a trip orproceed to the tasting area and gift shop.
This emerging winery produces only a complete assortment of red, white and fruit wines, but special sherrys and ports as well. We opted for a Riesling, the waitress BrewErie recommendations. And it's fantastic, with a pleasantly fruity and refreshing finish. Port, aged in bourbon casks, is a delicious fruity taste (we felt, dark plums and cherries). Also, we have at home a few bottles of white earth, friendly andslightly sweet white blend.
Final Touches
Following his retirement from Mazza Vineyards, we watched another tip to visit the Kelly Hotel for happy hour and to rest his legs. Once the hotel in recent years, Kelly Hotel is an old inn with a warm welcoming structure inside the restaurant. It's actually just over the border in New York with a charming old bar and lots of friendly people. We wished we arrived for dinner because the menu looked wonderful, but unfortunately it was onlyHappy Hour snack of chicken wings and cold beer on draft. It is "in the know" place to stop, with parquet floors throughout and a great old pub feel.
Finally, we headed back to Erie, in an effort to create more space on the Bayfront. There is no better place to do so than Smugglers Wharf. Simply put, it's a great restaurant with wonderful views. There is a lively, casual crowd and the food is as good as Lake Erie and the Bayfront view. We opted for lake perch and steamedmussels, both perfectly prepared and served with a smile.
And we assume that this is the perfect way to close this travelogue. Everywhere we went in Erie, we were greeted with a smile. Take time to visit this friendly city, and enjoy all the area has to offer. Whether you are traveling there for the wine or not, we are certain you will enjoy your stay.
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