Merritt Estate Winery

About Merritt Estate Winery

Merritt Estate Winery makes estate-bottled wine from vineyards in Chautauqua County, the grape-growing belt along Lake Erie in far western New York. The list runs from dry reds and whites to sweet and specialty wines, including Concord grape wine, a Vidal ice wine, Bella Rosa, Edelweiss, Chautauqua White and a raspberry dessert wine. The winery is also known for its XTC and sangria wine slushes.

Tastings are simple and inexpensive: any five available wines for $5. The tasting room on King Road is open every day. From April through December hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday, and from January through March it closes an hour earlier. Wine by the glass, local craft beer on tap and snacks such as specialty cheeses, crackers and popcorn are served, and groups of eight or more need a reservation.

Two free festivals anchor the year. The 45th annual Strawberry Festival ran June 5 to 7, 2026, with live music, craft vendors, food, wine slushes, strawberry desserts, a bounce house and a balloon artist. Septemberfest, in its 44th year, followed on September 12 and 13, 2026, with live music, a chicken barbecue, vendors and family activities. Both are held rain or shine; bring lawn chairs, and leave outside food and drinks at home.

Lords Lavender Farm, a 28-acre farm on an 1850s homestead near Niagara Falls, is the closest lavender farm, about an hour and 20 minutes north by the Thruway, so plan it as a full summer day in western New York.

What to do

• Taste any five wines for $5
• Try the Concord grape wine or Vidal ice wine
• Order an XTC or sangria wine slush
• Bring lawn chairs to the free Strawberry Festival in early June
• Come back for Septemberfest in mid-September

Season, hours and prices

Season

Tasting room open daily all year; Strawberry Festival in early June and Septemberfest in mid-September

Hours

Posted on their website (2026): April-December Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday noon-6 p.m.; January-March Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday noon-5 p.m.

Admission

Free to visit; tasting of five wines $5; festivals free (2026)

Good to know

Age

21 or older to taste or drink alcohol

Reservations

Walk-in

Tips for your visit

• Groups of eight or more need a reservation
• Bring your own lawn chairs to the festivals
• Outside food and drinks are not allowed at festivals
• Plan a designated driver

Pair it with a lavender farm

Lords Lavender Farm · about 80 minutes away

Lords Lavender Farm near Niagara Falls is about an hour and 20 minutes north, a long but doable summer day.

Getting there

• Address: 2264 King Road, Forestville, NY 14062
• Phone: (888) 965-4800
• Website: merrittestatewinery.com

Questions

Checked in October 2026 against the business’s own website and local tourism pages. Hours and seasons change, so check with them before you go. How we check listings · Is this your business? Claim it free