Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Winery at Marjim Manor
(7171 E. Lake Rd., Appleton, 716/778-7001,
www.marjimmanor.com
,
10am-6pmMon.-Sat.,noon-6pmSun.,$3tastingfee)servesfruit-
based wines with a side helping of ghost stories. Owners Margo and Jim Bittner began
farming in the early 2000s. Today, they make wines using apples, plums, pears, apricots,
blueberries,andmanyotherfreshfruits,alongwithlocallygrowngrapes.Therearetastings
at Marjim Manor, a beautiful, historic building from the 1850s that boasts a spooky history.
Although there are no on-site wine-making facilities, it is nonetheless one of the best stops
on the Niagara Wine Trail.
A Gust of Sun Winery
(4515 Baer Rd., Ransomville, 716/731-4878,
www.agustofsun.com
,
by appointment only Mon.-Thurs., noon-6pm Fri. and Sun.,
10am-6pm Sat. Jan.-Apr., noon-6pm Sun.-Fri., 10am-6pm Sat. May-Dec., $5 tasting fee) is
a true family-owned and -operated enterprise. Erik and Shane Gustafson moved here to try
their hand at wine making shortly after they were married. The couple planted vines and
renovatedanoldAmishbarnintoatastingroomandloungeintheloft.Theirhardworkhas
paid off with their sweet and dry white wines winning medals at competitions regionally
and in the Midwest. A partnership with a local chocolate maker has led to a novel tasting
where five wine samples are paired with five chocolates custom made to complement the
Gustafson's wine.
Vizcarra Vineyards at Becker Farms
(3724 Quaker Rd., Gasport, 716/772-2211,
www.beckerfarms.com
,
11am-6pm daily May-Nov., noon-5pm Wed.-Mon. Dec.-Apr., $3
tasting fee) believes in growing the best fruit on its 340-acre farm, then making it into
wineforpeopletoenjoy.Inadditiontotraditionalgrapewines,Vizcarraoffersapple,plum,
strawberry-rhubarb, cherry, and raspberry wines. The most recent addition is the “sinful
series”—heavilyfortified,port-stylewinesfermentedto17percentalcoholbyvolume.Viz-
carra is part of the Becker Farms estate, which includes a microbrewery, farmers market
selling fresh fruits and vegetables, and a small bakery and snack shop.
For the founders of
Freedom Run Winery
(5138 Lower Mountain Rd., Lockport, 716/
433-4136,
www.freedomrunwinery.com
, noon-6pm Sun.-Wed., 10am-6pm Thurs.-Sat.,
tasting fees vary), wine is art. The sweeping elegance of their winery was designed to en-
hance the wines. The contemporary and airy tasting rooms are alive with works from local
artisans, with an emphasis on stunning handcrafted glass. The wines crafted here are works
of art as well—they've won several medals from regional tasting competitions. Among
FreedomRun'ssuccessfulvintagesarepinotnoirsthatthriveintheheavyclaysoilsoftheir
vineyards.
