Founded by Fred S. Johnson in 1961, the Estate’s portfolio now includes more than 40 award-winning wines
While the winter was impressively cold and the spring weather worrisome for growing grapes due to early bud break and potential freezes, Johnson Estate’s commencement of its 65th anniversary year has been good. Ten days ago, we learned that the winery had been awarded ten Gold Medal awards including four with Best of Class designations at the Los Angeles International Wine Competition. And then this week, we learned that the winery’s second vintage of Sparkling Rosé Ice Wine was rated Exceptional, 94 Points by the Beverage Testing Institute/Tastings.com. These awards reflect New York’s oldest estate winery’s commitment to quality, craftmanship, and the expression of our region’s unique Germanic terroir which is achieved by the hard work of our dedicated team.
The Los Angeles International Wine Competition (LAIWC)
Best of Class & Gold Medals
The LA International Wine Competition, the oldest competition in the US, celebrated its 90th year in 2025 – since we are discussing anniversaries of established enterprises. Beginning in 2002, the competition began accepting international submissions and today is known for its rigorous blind-tasting judging and influential panel which honors excellence in winemaking for a broad selection of wines.
Best of Class Gold Medal Winners
- 2024 Niagara, 99 Points (highest wine rating at the 2026 LAIWC)
- 2024 Concord, 95 Points
- 2024 Sparkling Traminette, 95 Points
- 2024 Semi-Dry Riesling, 94 Points
Other Gold Medal Winners
- 2024 Black Locust Dry Riesling, 92 Points
- NV The Queens Catawba, 92 Points
- 2023 Maréchal Foch, 90 Points
- 2022 Founders’ Red, 90 Points
- 2024 Dry Riesling, 90 Points
- 2023 Toasted Oak Chardonnay, 90 Points
Beverage Testing Institute (BTI) – Sparkling Rosé Ice Wine – Exceptional, 94 Points
Johnson Estate’s Sparkling Rosé Ice Wine, a blend of Vidal Blanc and Chambourcin, is the only “méthode champenoise” ice wine (secondary fermentation completed in the bottle) made in North America. Its fine mousse-like bubbles balance the wine’s sweetness – and reflects Winemaker Jeff Murphy’s dedicated persistence in creating a natural sparkling wine from ice wine, which is a very challenging task. As Johnson Estate’s winemaker for over twenty years, Jeff has perfected the winery’s production of both Vidal Blanc and Chambourcin Ice Wines, which have won numerous gold/90+ point awards. And this very special Sparkling Rosé Ice Wine, with an Exceptional rating, is on the shelves again (released in early 2026).
Johnson Estate Winery, with 110 acres of vineyards, is the oldest estate winery in New York State and a founding member of Lake Erie Wine Trail. It is a third-generation family-owned Century Farm with a tasting room open year-round. For more information, please visit www.johnsonwinery.com, or www.facebook.com/johnsonwinery, or call 716-326-2191.