LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the John-
son Estate Winery

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to commemorate the
long histories of certain family business endeavors, which are the
cornerstone of economic success in this great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 100th Anniversary of the Johnson Estate Winery; and
WHEREAS, In 1911, Frederick W. Johnson purchased a farm in Westfield,
New York, from the family of William Peacock, who settled there in the
early 1800s; the main crops grown on the farm, then known as Sunnyslope
Vineyards, were apples, cherries and peaches; some grapes were also
grown on the property; and
WHEREAS, Sunnyslope Vineyards featured an ammonia-powered cold apple
storage facility which allowed the fruit to be stored at 42 degrees
throughout the year, providing a competitive advantage that allowed the
farm success through the years of the Great Depression; and
WHEREAS, In 1960, Frederick S. Johnson purchased the farm from his
father and removed its fruit trees and most of the Concord grapes on the
property, replacing them with French-American hybrid grapes and native
Ives and Delaware grape varieties; the Johnson Estate Winery officially
began wine production in 1961; and
WHEREAS, Estate wineries are specialized wine-making operations in
which all parts of the winemaking process are undertaken on a winery's
property; this allows wine-makers precise control over all facets of
harvesting and processing, and protects the grapes from damage during
transport; and
WHEREAS, Operating continuously for 50 years, the Johnson Estate
Winery is the oldest estate winery in New York State; and
WHEREAS, In 1997, the third generation Fred Johnson assumed operation
of the family farm and winery; the vineyard acreage has expanded to
nearly 120 acres, with several varieties of grapes chosen specifically
for the land and the climate of the Johnson Estate Winery; and
WHEREAS, Dedicated to producing wines of superior quality, the Johnson
Estate Winery's head winemaker has traveled to Germany to learn top
techniques in the field, and will continue educational trips to further
enhance the quality of the Winery's offerings; and
WHEREAS, The Johnson Estate Winery has been renovated and expanded to
include a finished good warehouse and a winery tasting room; the Johnson
family was careful to preserve original portions of the building,
including wood windows, simple moldings and century-old barn beams while
adding modern touches, including stainless-steel jacketed tanks for wine
storage; and
WHEREAS, The Johnson Estate Winery has received numerous Gold and
Double Gold awards for its wines in international competitions; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to publicly recog-
nize and honor milestones in the history of small businesses in this
great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Johnson Estate Winery, 100
years of business in agriculture and 50 years as a winery; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Johnson Estate Winery.