Wineries of North East PA: A Local Guide to Lake Erie Wine Country

North East, PA, just outside of Erie, is known for its concentration of wineries, miles of Lake Erie shoreline, and laid-back vibe. It’s an easy place to slow down, sip local wine, enjoy the beach, and settle into a relaxing getaway.

With 12 wineries located within minutes of each other, wine tasting here can be as full or as relaxed as you want it to be. Spend a whole day visiting tasting rooms, or stop at one or two wineries between beach time, local shopping, naps, spa treatments, dinners, or sunsets by the lake.

North East sits in the heart of Lake Erie Wine Country, one of the largest grape-growing regions east of the Rocky Mountains.

This guide is especially helpful for couples, ladies’ groups, bachelorettes, wedding guests, and anyone planning a relaxed stay in Lake Erie Wine Country. If you’re looking for a place to stay, browse our Lake Erie cottage rentals in North East, PA.

Now comes the hard part: deciding which wineries to visit first. The good news is that many of the wineries are located close together, so you can easily visit a few at a time. Or you may even decide to try them all.

Every winery has its own atmosphere, wine selection, and loyal fans. Some are known for vineyard views and outdoor seating, while others are popular for live music, wine slushies, craft beer, or relaxing tasting rooms. Wine milkshakes? You can find them too. Part of the fun is discovering your own favorites along the way.

Mazza Vineyards

Mazza Vineyards is the closest winery to our vacation rentals, making it an easy stop during your North East getaway. The Mazza family owns several local wine destinations, including South Shore Wine Company and Five & 20 Spirits and Brewing, but this East Lake Road location is their “OG” and it’s especially convenient from our cottages if you want to pick up a bottle for dinner, stop in for a quick tasting, or sit outside at the picnic tables and enjoy a glass of wine.

Local tip: Mazza is about 0.7 miles by car from our cottages. I like walking there when the weather is nice. I recommend the scenic (longer) one-mile route along the lakefront road (Old Lake Road to Chase Road) for views of Lake Erie and the lakefront homes. Stop at the winery and then head back. The lakefront route makes a lovely 2-mile round-trip walk.

South Shore Wine Company

Let’s talk about the other Mazza-owned winery in North East: South Shore Wine Company. This one’s worth visiting for the atmosphere alone. Taste wine in a historic stone cavern, which makes it one of the most unique winery stops in the area and a great photo opportunity.

In the warmer months, the second-floor screened-in porch is often open for tastings. So you can choose between the indoor cavern or the screened in porch. I like to order a flight of four samples so I can try a few different wines. As you can see in the picture below, the featured flights of four samples are only $7.

South Shore is about 1.6 miles from our cottages on Route 89. It’s one of the main roads you’ll use when heading to local restaurants, shops, and other wineries. So if you’re driving along Route 89 and you see South Shore, stop in for a tasting and get a picture in front of the stone cavern.

Yori Wine Cellars

Yori Wine Cellars is a downtown North East winery where you can taste local wine, order food from the connected Michael’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria, and try house-crafted beer or hard cider in one convenient stop. It’s located in North East’s shopping district on Route 89, and Yori’s (the winery) and Michael’s (the restaurant) share an entrance.

Yori is especially helpful if you want to pair wine tasting with lunch or dinner. While you wait for your food, you can sample local wines, beers, or ciders without making a separate stops.

You’ll likely pass Yori Wine Cellars and Michael’s as you come into North East from I-90, making it easy to visit on your arrival day.

Local tip: Yori has later hours than many wineries nearby, which makes an evening tasting easier. It is typically open until 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, and until 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Confirm current hours before you go.

Driftwood Cellars

Driftwood Cellars is another easy stop in downtown North East. This winery has a playful personality, and you can see it right away in the wine names. With bottles like Karen’s 1-Star Review, Pour Decisions, Attempted Murder, and Working from Home, it’s the kind of place that makes wine tasting feel relaxed and fun.

Local tips: Try the wine slushies or wine-infused milkshakes if they’re available. They’re cold, sweet, and more like a dessert drink, which makes Driftwood a fun downtown stop on a warm day.

Courtyard Winery

Courtyard Winery is a North East, PA winery with both sweet and dry wines, making it a good stop for groups with different tastes. If some people in your group like sweet wines and others prefer drier options, this is an easy winery to include on your route.

The outdoor area with picnic tables is especially nice in warmer weather. I like ordering a wine flight and selecting a basket of cheese and crackers (available for purchase at the winery) so we can sit outside and enjoy the setting. I’ve also found some semi-sweet whites here that I really like.

Local tip: For something a little different, try the Blueberry wine or Chocapelli. Both are memorable options if you want to taste something beyond a standard red or white.

Presque Isle Wine Cellars

Presque Isle Wine Cellars is one of the longtime wineries in North East, PA and has been part of the local wine scene for decades. Like Courtyard, Presque Isle has a nice mix of sweet and dry wines. If you’re interested in making your own wine, Presque Isle sells the supplies you need to get started.

Because it’s located just minutes from Courtyard Winery and Penn Shore Winery, Presque Isle Wine Cellars works well as part of a relaxed wine trail day without a lot of extra driving between tastings.

Heritage Wine Cellars

Heritage Wine Cellars is a longtime Lake Erie Wine Country favorite known for its enormous selection of wines. If your group enjoys sweet wines, fruit wines, ports, or sparkling wines, Heritage is worth a stop because there is truly something for every palate. Operated by the Bostwick family, whose grape-growing roots in the region span generations, Heritage combines a deep local history with a fun, approachable tasting experience. With dozens of wines available, it is one of the best places on the trail for groups with varied tastes who want to sample a wide range of styles.

Insider Tip: Heritage is especially popular with visitors who enjoy fruit wines. Their selection includes everything from berry and peach wines to specialty dessert-style wines, making it a fun stop for those who prefer sweeter pours over traditional dry reds and whites.

Lakeview Wine Cellars

Lakeview Wine Cellars is one of the most scenic stops in Lake Erie Wine Country. Perched among the vineyards, the winery offers beautiful views of the surrounding countryside and glimpses of Lake Erie in the distance. The relaxed tasting room and outdoor seating areas make it an easy place to slow down and enjoy a glass of wine while taking in the landscape. Lakeview produces a variety of wines from locally grown grapes and offers a quieter experience than some of the larger wineries on the trail. If you’re looking for a winery where the setting is as memorable as the wine, Lakeview is worth adding to your itinerary.

Arundel Cellars & Brewing

Arundel Wine Cellars & Brewing Co. is a great choice when your group includes both wine enthusiasts and craft beer fans. Unlike most stops along the wine trail, Arundel produces both award-winning wines and handcrafted beers, giving visitors plenty of options to sample. The spacious outdoor patio, frequent live music, and relaxed atmosphere make it one of the most social destinations in Lake Erie Wine Country. Whether you’re stopping for a tasting, lunch, or an afternoon of music and drinks, Arundel is a place where groups often linger longer than planned.

Insider Tips: If your group can’t agree on wine or beer, Arundel solves the problem. It’s one of the easiest wineries to recommend for mixed groups because everyone can find something they enjoy. Check out their events schedule for live music on Fridays, Sundays, and special events.

Cellar ’54 is one of the newer wineries in Lake Erie Wine Country, but its roots go back much further. The winery was founded by the Coletta family, whose grape-growing history in North East dates to 1954. Today, Cellar ’54 produces wines from grapes grown on the family vineyards, offering visitors a chance to taste wines that are truly connected to the region. The winery features a modern tasting room and a relaxed atmosphere that makes it easy to linger over a glass of wine. During the summer months, live music events known as “Cellar Jams” make Cellar ’54 a popular stop for both visitors and locals.

Insider Tip: Check out the event calendar for live music and craft events. Music events are typically on Friday or Saturday evenings or Sunday afternoons.

Burch Farms Country Market & Winery

Burch Farms feels more like a destination than a traditional winery. Guests can enjoy wine tastings and wine slushies while browsing fresh produce, baked goods, jams, local products, candles, and seasonal specialties. It is the kind of place where you stop in for a quick visit and end up spending much longer than planned.

What sets Burch Farms apart from many wineries in the region is how family-friendly it is. Kids can enjoy slushies, giant cookies, cupcakes, brownies, and other homemade treats while adults sample wines or shop the market.

Throughout the year, Burch Farms hosts seasonal events that draw visitors of all ages, including the Strawberry Festival, holiday wagon rides through the orchards, visits with Santa, Easter egg hunts, Mother’s Day brunches, and other family activities. If your group includes both wine lovers and non-wine drinkers, Burch Farms is one of the easiest wineries in Lake Erie Wine Country to recommend because there is truly something for everyone.

Insider Tip: If you’re visiting in late June, don’t miss the family-friendly annual Strawberry Festival, which features fresh strawberries, strawberry desserts, strawberry wine, picnic lunches, live music, and beautiful orchard and Lake Erie views.

Arrowhead Wine Cellars is still on my list to visit, but it’s worth including here because it comes up often as a longtime Lake Erie Wine Country stop. The winery has been operating since 1998 and is connected to Mobilia Fruit Farms, with wines made from native, European, and hybrid grapes grown in the region. Visitors often mention the wide selection, including dry, sweet, fruit, sparkling, and ice wines, along with the large gift shop. If your group has mixed tastes, Arrowhead looks like one of those easy, casual stops where everyone can find something to sample. This is one of the few wineries on my list that I have not yet visited personally.

One of the best things about staying in North East is that you don’t have to spend all day driving. Most wineries, restaurants, beaches, and attractions are within a short drive of each other, making it easy to create a relaxing weekend at your own pace.

After checking into your vacation rental, head into town for dinner and a chance to unwind after your drive. Popular local favorites include Skunk & Goat Kitchen & Bar and Michael’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria in North East. If you’re exploring a little farther east, Grace & Abe’s in Westfield is known for wood-fired pizza and craft beer, while Brazill’s on Main offers a nice menu including desserts.

Before calling it a night, make your way to Woodmere Beach for sunset. It’s one of my favorite places to end the day, with beautiful views across Lake Erie and plenty of room to relax by the water.

Saturday is the perfect day to explore Lake Erie Wine Country. Start with a few wineries close to each other, such as Mazza Vineyards, South Shore Wine Company, Courtyard Winery, Presque Isle Wine Cellars, or Heritage Wine Cellars. If your group enjoys craft beer as well as wine, Arundel Cellars & Brewing is a great stop.

For lunch, take a break between tastings at The Bean Coffee House, Toast, Skunk & Goat, or Michael’s.

In the afternoon, continue your wine trail adventure or spend some time browsing downtown North East’s shops and boutiques.

For dinner, local favorites include Michael’s for pizza and Italian specialties, Skunk & Goat for elevated pub fare, Grace & Abe’s for wood-fired pizza and craft beer, Brazill’s on Main in Westfield, Pine Junction for ribs in Findley Lake.

Before heading home, enjoy a relaxed brunch. Skunk & Goat is a popular choice in North East, while Parkview Restaurant in nearby Westfield is another local favorite.

For breakfast or lunch, The Bean Coffee House is a favorite for specialty coffee drinks, breakfast burritos, egg bowls, bagels, and grab-and-go options. If you’re looking for a more traditional sit-down breakfast, Toast serves hearty favorites like omelets, biscuits and gravy, and its popular cannoli French toast.

If time allows, consider one last walk along the lake, a stop at Burch Farms Country Market & Winery, or a visit to the North East Marina before beginning your drive home.

If you’re planning a fall visit, WineFest is one of the best weekends of the year to experience Lake Erie Wine Country. Held every year during the last full weekend of September, WineFest transforms downtown North East into a three-day celebration of local wine, food, music, and community.

The festival takes place in Gibson Park, a full-block park in the heart of North East’s shopping district. Wineries from across the region set up tasting booths where visitors can sample a wide variety of local wines with a tasting pass. Even if wine isn’t your thing, there’s plenty to enjoy. Food trucks, craft vendors, local artisans, and live music create a festive atmosphere throughout the weekend.

Families will find activities for children as well, including grape stomping, crafts, and other family-friendly activities located across the street from the main festival grounds.

My favorite way to enjoy WineFest is to grab a picnic table, find a bench, or bring a camp chair and settle in for an afternoon of music and people-watching. It’s one of those events where you can easily spend a few hours wandering through the vendors, sampling local wines, and soaking up the energy of downtown North East.

Beyond WineFest, many local wineries host live music, harvest celebrations, and special events throughout the summer and fall, making autumn one of the most popular times to visit North East and Lake Erie Wine Country.

After a day of wine tasting, there’s something to be said for skipping the long drive home and spending the night in Lake Erie Wine Country. Staying locally allows you to enjoy the wineries at a relaxed pace, explore downtown North East, watch a Lake Erie sunset, and discover some of the area’s restaurants, beaches, and small-town charm.

For visitors looking for a quieter experience, our vacation rentals are located less than a mile from Mazza Vineyards and just minutes from many of the wineries featured in this guide. Guests enjoy access to a private Lake Erie beach, a peaceful neighborhood setting, and an easy drive to North East’s wineries, restaurants, marina, and shopping district.

Many visitors make a weekend of it by combining wine tasting with beach walks, sunset viewing, kayaking, local restaurants, and seasonal events like WineFest. Because the wineries are spread throughout North East and neighboring communities, staying overnight lets you explore the region without feeling rushed.

Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway, a ladies’ weekend, a couples trip, or a relaxing escape with friends, spending a few days in Lake Erie Wine Country gives you time to enjoy much more than the wineries alone.

North East is home to approximately a dozen wineries and is part of Lake Erie Wine Country, one of the largest grape-growing regions east of the Rocky Mountains. Many wineries are located within a short drive of each other, making it easy to visit several tasting rooms during a weekend getaway.

Yes. Many wineries are located just minutes apart, making it easy to visit several tasting rooms in a single day. Most visitors find that three to five wineries makes for a relaxed day of wine tasting without feeling rushed.

Some wineries offer food, snacks, or small plates, while others focus primarily on wine tastings. Several wineries are also located near restaurants, making it easy to combine wine tasting with lunch or dinner.

Many wineries welcome families, especially those with outdoor seating and open grounds. Burch Farms Country Market & Winery is particularly popular with families thanks to its bakery, market, seasonal events, and activities for children.

WineFest is the largest wine event in North East and takes place during the last full weekend of September. The festival features wine tastings from local wineries, live music, food vendors, shopping, family activities, and entertainment throughout downtown North East and at some of the local wineries.

Visitors often combine wine tasting with Lake Erie beaches, boating, kayaking, fishing, shopping in downtown North East and adjacent towns, exploring the North East Marina, or watching sunsets along the lake. Downtown Erie, PA is only 18 miles for additional things to do.

Many visitors choose to stay overnight so they can enjoy the wineries at a relaxed pace and explore more of the area. Vacation rentals, cottages, hotels, and bed-and-breakfasts can all be found throughout North East and the surrounding Lake Erie Wine Country region.