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Quelle Surprise: Our Trip to France + Pierre's Vision of LEWC
Winter 2022, Story by Pierre Brun w/ Photos by Jeff Swensen
Here's Pierre Brun at FLIGHT, fall 2022.
Piere and Jeff's article about their multiple visits to Lake Erie Wine Country during which they met with owners and winemakers of several wineries and sampled wines using their broad international perspective was a "deep dive" and recognized the potential and the "virtual rebirth" of the region. Their "Judgement of Lake Erie" was a clever way to analyze the wines in the area.
Since Fred and I had visited Reims and Epernay in May 2022,
Pierre's compliment for our Brut was especially appreciated!
Here we are in Epernay, France, on the Avenue de Champagne:
"An award for the sparkling wines (or méthode champenoise) was also given, by our tasters, as they were excellent....Johnson Estate Freelings Creek Reserve Brut distinguished themselves very clearly, suggesting that we might envision this region as an eventual "new Reims", with distinctive wines drawn from its own viticulture."
Jan 31, 2023 at 12:32 PM
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All About Torpedo Red for Veteran's Day
ABOUT TORPEDO RED
This label was designed by the Johnson’s son, Spencer, a US Navy active duty EOD officer, in honor of his grandfather, the winery’s founder, Frederick Spencer Johnson.
The dragon carrying a torpedo was the insignia of the WWII Navy Squadron Torpedo Three which flew off the Yorktown from 1943-1945.
The silhouette of the airplane is that of a TBM Avenger, designed by Grumman Aircraft and built by General Motors. to carry a 2,000 pound aerial torpedo. On November 11, 1944*, then Lt. (junior grade) Frederick S. Johnson, age 23, single-handedly torpedoed and sank a Japanese destroyer for which he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross by Admiral John S. McCain (the recent Senator’s grandfather).
The wine is a blend of Chancellor and Pinot Noir both grown here on the farm. It is a smooth but almost-dry, full-bodied wine that is ready to drink now but should also continue improving with age for at least another five years.
This is a limited, special edition label we are now offering every November in honor of all veterans and active duty military.
* Coincidentally, November 11th is Armistice Day, now called Veterans’ Day.
Nov 7, 2022 at 6:16 AM
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Johnson Estate - Our Pet Policy
Johnson Estate Winery Pet Policy:
The recent opening of our new outdoor tasting venue, FLIGHT, adjacent to the vineyards has invited more questions about our pet policy – so here you go!
- Yes, we are a dog-friendly place. We all grew up with dogs on this farm and love them. So,
- If your Fido needs water, we have it available in the Tasting Room and at FLIGHT.
- If your Fido needs to stretch his legs with a short walk in the grape rows, that’s fine, we welcome you.
- Here’s the caveats: People come first, dogs second.
- So, at the Estate this means that:
- Dogs should be on leash at all times.
- Dogs must be picked up after (if you don’t have bags, we do).
- If Fido wants to come into the Tasting Room or lie under your table at FLIGHT, we will poll other customers already in that space. If other guests have concerns (allergies, fears, whatever), then we still have water for Fido, he/she may still take a walk, but may not come inside or accompany you to FLIGHT.
- We trust you that your Fido is well-trained, around strangers and around other dogs. If he/she has issues, please stick to water and walks for your pet.
May 30, 2022 at 8:33 AM
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FREE and Discounted Shipping Programs - Here's the Details
FREE & DISCOUNTED SHIPPING PROGRAMS:
These programs refer to ground shipment only. Please also know that orders placed on the weekend are shipped out on the following Monday. Questions? shipwine@johnsonwinery.com.
Here are the PROMOTION CODES:
OH, PA, & NY:
FREE shipping on multiples of SIX 750mL or 375mL bottles; does not apply to 1.5L bottles.
GOODNEIGHBOR6 ♦ GOODNEIGHBOR12 ♦ GOODNEIGHBOR18
GOODNEIGHBOR24 ♦ GOODNEIGHBOR36
EAST of the Mississippi:
FREE shipping on multiples of twelve 750 or 375mL bottles.
EOM12 ♦ EOM24 ♦ EOM36
WEST of the Mississippi:
50% OFF shipping on multiples of twelve 750 or 375mL bottles.
50SHIPWEST12 ♦ 50SHIPWEST24 ♦ 50SHIPWEST36
WE CAN SHIP WINES TO:
Alaska*, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii*, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, & Wyoming.
*Discounted shipping programs do not apply to Alaska & Hawaii.
If your state is not listed above, we are still able to ship non-alcoholic orders. Please take a look at our fine food products.
ORDER ONLINE OR CALL:
1-800-Drink-NY or 1-800-374-6569, 10AM - 5:30PM daily. Our tasting room team will be happy to speak with you. Please do share our shipping offers with your friends and family!
AND NOW, THE FINE PRINT:
Bottles must be 750mL or 375mL for free/discounted shipping programs.
Requires signature of someone over 21 years old.
We can ship to your home or work address.
Due to covid's impact on the shipping industry, transit times can vary from two days to seven days. For West Coast & Florida, we generally ship wines on Monday to attempt to avoid weekend delays.
Mar 25, 2022 at 3:32 PM
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"The Empty Bottle Collection"
The "Empty Bottles" that traveled the world and ended up in Westfield, NY
On Display at the Patterson Library, Westfield, NY
Made in England or Holland and filled with wine or alcohol, traveled on sailing vessels to the New World and South America in the 1700s, were dumped into the river by sailors, and then collected 200+ years later by a Westfield man.... who was working in British Guyana and had them shipped by plane to NYC/Buffalo/Westfield in the 1970s.
In the 1950s through the 1970s, Frederick S. Johnson worked in many South American countries as an agricultural consultant. He and his family lived in Venezuela for about ten years until his father died and they moved back to Western New York in 1961. He collected a wide assortment of wine and distilled beverage bottles while working in British Guiana and many may have come from Dutch Guiana (Surinam). Here’s an excerpt from an article published in the Buffalo News in 1979:
Fred was intrigued to learn that the nets of native fishermen were bringing up old bottles from the Demerara River and the ocean channels where the river meets the Atlantic. Mr. Johnson learned that these bottles had contained wine shipped to colonists of British and Dutch Guiana/Suriname back in the 17th century. These early settlers built their settlements closest to the rivers and found it handy to toss empty bottles into the water. Sand and silt, swept downstream by the water, buried the bottles and then uncovered them as channels changed....They come from a time when bottles were hand-blown, when the size and thickness of the glass varied.......The color of the glass bottles from Surinam varies from dark-green to brown-green. Many of the bottles still contain dirt and gravel… Mr. Johnson shipped scores of bottles home to Westfield, NY from South America.
Nov 30, 2021 at 3:08 PM
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Wine Duos - Act II
As many know, Winemaker Jeff Murphy has been with us for nearly two decades and continues to introduce award-winning wines to our portfolio. In November 2020, we wrote a blog about "pairs" or duos of wines made from the same grapes. These included Maréchal Foch and Ruby Dry Rosé as well as Pinot Noir and Dry Rosé of Pinot Noir. Same grapes, but very different wines. Sometimes the duos are similar but have differing subtle characteristics which result from a new vintage year or perhaps just a new - or old - idea for using wine grapes. Small differences - as in the sweetness levels of our Rieslings - can have bigger than expected impacts on flavor.
This year, Jeff requested that some of our Estate-grown Pinot Noir, which was ripening well, be harvested very late when the grapes were partially dry to make an "amarone" Italian-inspired red wine. We will see how that goes next year when it is released! In the meantime, we have other wine "pairs" which merit your attention so that YOU can choose your favorites and decide!
Brut and Sparkling Traminette
(same "methode champenoise, but different grapes. Brut, a dry sparkling, is made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes)
Seyval Blanc and Hand-Picked Seyval Blanc
(machine-harvested, regular pressing versus hand-picked, frozen, and then pressed)
Toasted Oak Chardonnay and Bright Steel Chardonnay
(two different Chardonnay grape clones, one oaked, one not)
Black Locust, Dry, Semi-Dry, and Sweet Riesling
(different levels of sweetness, Black Locust also aged in acacia/black locust barrels)
Old Oak Ruby and Ruby Port
(the same grapes; the Old Oak is aged in Bourbon barrels for a year)
Old Oak Gold (SOLD OUT) and Cream Sherry
(the same grapes; the Old Oak Gold is aged in Bourbon barrels outside for a year)
Nov 28, 2021 at 8:03 AM
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The Sparkling Pair
Celebrate Christmas and Welcome the New Year with Two Sparkling Wines
Here are two wines which are perfect for toasting your friends and family!
Celebrate the season with Johnson Estate's Sparkling Traminette and newly-released Brut. These two sparkling wines, made from estate-grapes using the traditional French "methode champenoise", are a welcome addition to any holiday celebration.
Includes the gift box and complimentary gift card if you like!
ADD TO YOUR CART $44.48
Oct 22, 2021 at 12:14 PM
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A Taste of the Holidays
Here's the perfect gift for your friends and family - to thank the host/hostess or to serve at your own Thanksgiving gathering. Pair estate-made quince paste and sharp cheddar with our Provençal-style dry rosé made from estate-grown Pinot Noir grapes for a delicious bite!
Includes the gift box and complimentary gift card if you like!
ADD TO YOUR CART $27.47
Oct 22, 2021 at 12:05 PM
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Early Bird Holiday Gift Guide
Sep 24, 2021 at 8:56 AM
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