Welcome to the South Shore Wine Company
The South Shore Wine Company was originally established by grape growing pioneers William Griffith and Smith S. Hammond over 150 years ago. The breathtaking stone wine cellar, now home to the newly re-established sister winery of Mazza Vineyards, stands testimony to the beginnings of the now flourishing grape and wine industry in Erie County.
Located beneath the former South Shore Inn, a popular restaurant and hotel for nearly a century, the underground stone cavern had seen few visitors since Prohibition closed the original winemaking operation in the 1920s.
A ‘must-see’ historical wine cellar…
...and a new generation of handcrafted wines.
At the wine cellar, you will be able to taste a new and unique selection of wines while taking in the grandeur and silent history hidden within the original stone walls, whose architecture was inspired by the wine cellars of France. You can almost hear the echoes of past winemakers as they prepared their samples for the 1867 Paris World’s Fair. Also in 1867, the South Shore Wine Company hosted a lunch for more than 300 grape growers and guests in the big hall above the wine cellar. This same space, newly restored with care taken to recall past days of glory, is now available as the South Shore Vintage Room for your next special occasion. Please visit our events page for booking and contact information.
The combination of this beautiful and historical setting, paired with over 35 years of winemaking experience, beckons you to see and taste for yourself what one of the newest and most unique wineries in the Lake Erie wine region has to offer. The South Shore Wine Company is a member of the Lake Erie Wine Country, a 40-mile stretch of Lake Erie coastline that is now home to 22 wineries. The wine cellar is open year-round seven days a week for tastings and tours, and tour buses with reservations are always welcome. Cheers!
Heard it Through the Grapevine
subscribe- Wine Shop Location!
- Mazza Wines are available at Fuhrman's Cider Mill on upper Peach Street
- read more
- New Release - Raspberry Honey Mead
- A fruity & unique summer treat.
- read more
- New Release - Bare Bones Rosé
- Just in time for spring and summer; a bright, refereshing dry rosé.
- read more
- Award-winning wines from the PA Wine Competition
- The South Shore Wine Co. brings home 3 medals from the PA Wine Competition
- read more
- 2011 Farm Show Awards
- South Shore Wine Co. brings home medals from the PA Farm Show
- read more
- Wine Trail Traveler:
- Check out this blog written by K. Sullivan.
- read more
Motorcoaches Welcome
Group tours are always welcome at the South Shore Wine Company. Hear about the history of the wine cavern and enjoy a tasting of our wines from our knowledgeable and friendly staff for groups of up to 60 people (up to 120 at Mazza Vineyards). Please call 800-796-WINE or 814-725-1585 to make your reservation (required for group tours). Groups of eight or more please call ahead and refer to the Lake Erie Wine Country Bus & Limo Guidelines
Tour of South Shore
Not as good as seeing the amazing stonework in person, but it will give you a good idea of what to expect when you visit!
Private Labels
Custom private labels are available for weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, class reunions, and other special occasions.
Click here or call for more information.
Downloadable Winelist
Click here for a printable version of our winelist.
Phone Orders
To place an order, call toll free 1-800-796-WINE (1-800-796-9463). South Shore Wine Company can ship to most states.