What to expect?
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Frequently asked Questions
How much time should I allot for visiting and traveling to the wineries?
Most visitors allot approximately 30 minutes for visiting a winery. The easternmost winery is 32 miles from the westernmost, generally along two-lane roads, including Route 20, so that it is about 40 minutes drive between these two.
What else is there to do?
A trip to Chautauqua Country is not complete without a visit to Chautauqua Institute, first established in 1874 as a vacation learning center for Sunday school teachers. It is now a thriving National Register-listed Victorian village of 750 acres on the shores of Chautauqua Lake, whose summer offerings attract thousands of people to its music, ballet, theatre, and arts programs. Chautauqua is also a fruit and produce paradise, with ample opportunities to pick and eat fresh strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, cherries, plums, peaches, and apples. All summer and fall, one can easily find the best corn, tomatoes, and other vegetables. Produce stands abound and local restaurants are increasingly aware of the bounty "in their backyards". In the winter, there is down-hill and cross-country skiing, and maple sugaring to observe and taste. For outdoorsmen, there is world-class fishing (including ice fishing), hiking, and boating.
Is it okay to spit out wine if I do not like it or if I prefer not to swallow?
Most of the wineries have spittoons/buckets available if you wish not to swallow samples.
How does a Chautauqua-Lake Erie Wine Trail event work?
For each event, each participating winery will select one wine to feature for the weekend and will pair it with an event-inspired food which is prepared and is available for ticket holders only.
Do I need to visit the wineries in any particular order for a Chautauqua-Lake Erie Wine Trail Event?
No, but you will need to visit a designated host winery. The ticket will specify one winery as a "host" winery where a package which includes a wineglass, gift and recipe booklet will be waiting for you. You need NOT go to the host winery first. Events are self-guided itineraries during which you may visit as many or as few wineries as you wish AND in any order, over the course of the two-day event. The wineries are open from 10-5pm both Saturday and Sunday.
Are the wineries crowded during Wine Trail Events?
Yes, some can be - especially on a Saturday afternoon. If you have never done a Wine Trail Weekend, you should know that they are festive events. Sometimes that means that the wineries are also serving a lot of people. As a result, smaller wineries can be busy - particularly on Saturday afternoons, and so you may want to consider that as you plan your visits. Sundays are generally slightly less busy.
What does my Chautauqua-Lake Erie Wine Trail Event ticket entitle me to?
Each ticket holder receives food and wine sample(s) at each participating winery, a souvenir wine glass, a recipe booklet with recipes from wineries, and an Event gift.
I don’t have a ticket – may I still visit the wineries?
Wineries are open for regular business to customers without Wine Trail tickets. Please be aware that there is some congestion at peak hours (usually Saturday afternoons) at some of the wineries.
What time are the wineries open for Chautauqua-Lake Erie Wine Trail Weekend Events?
All participating wineries are open from 10am to 5pm on both Saturday and Sunday during Wine Trail Weekends.
How much food and wine is served during Chautauqua-Lake Erie Wine Trail Events?
They are samples of food and wine which complement each other.The food and wine samples are not meant to be a meal - but rather just that, samples of food and wine which complement each other. Most wineries will also select an additional number of wines (1-3 perhaps) to let you sample during the event; this varies in number at the different wineries. Depending on the winery, other wines, not highlighted during the Event, may be sampled. Some of the wineries typically charge for samples, some do not. Ask before you taste!