Venice in August is not the best time or place to get a great meal.

​During this traditional month of Italian family vacations, many a restaurant shuts down for a week – or more. Despite my advanced planning, I still ended up at a tourist trap during our 2016 trip. The dour staff refused to serve free tap water. Only pricey bottled water was available, chafing against my frugal principles. Given the dire circumstances, I opted for a more economical choice: a bottle of cheap rosé. And thus my bed bug saga began.
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Skipping merrily home to my clean but threadbare hotel, I encountered the property’s resident cat, Pierre, on the steps. I should pause and say I assumed it was the property’s cat, based on his cat-like claim of the courtyard space, but, as Ryan points out, it really could have belonged to anyone  – or no one at all. But with the demon liquor in my veins, I considered it prudent to scoop Pierre up and bring him to my room in a brazen hope of enjoying a genuine cat nap with him.

Intoxicated with the love of a temporary pet (and bargain-basement wine) I didn’t perform my customary bed bug sheet check...

It’s the largest wine region in North America east of the Rocky Mountains, but only the most devoted wine lovers have heard of Lake Erie Wine Country. On all but the busiest weekend afternoons in the summertime, it may feel like you’ve got the roads entirely to yourself as you explore the Lake Erie wineries. Too bad for everyone else because this is a spectacular area and the wines are just the tip of the iceberg for what the area has to offer. Between the natural attractions and great restaurants, there’s enough to keep road trippers busy for a long weekend - and maybe even a bit longer. If you aren’t familiar with the area, you can expect this from a visit to Lake Erie Wine Country. 

Where Is Lake Erie Wine Country?

Lake Erie Wine Country is located on the northeast shore of Lake Erie, in New York and Pennsylvania, between Erie and Buffalo. The Lake Erie Wine Trail is approximately 53 miles long, from the easternmost winery, Merritt Estate, to the westernmost winery, 6 Mile Cellars.

When Should You Visit Lake Erie Wine Country?

Late summer and early fall are the optimal time to visit, as two of the most significant area festivals occur then. The annual America’s Grape Country Wine Festival happens at the Chautauqua Fairgrounds in Dunkirk during the first week of August. However, the area is a year-round tourist destination; spring and autumn are particularly pretty times to visit.