wine life - The Michael Pour

A Great Lakes Wine Destination

October

2026

Have you heard of the Lake Erie AVA in the northeast part of the United States? Did you know that it is a historic wine-producing region that nobody really knows or talks about?

In fact, it is the largest AVA east of the Rocky Mountains. Its boundaries extend to parts of New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania, with over 40,000 acres planted to vineyards (see wine map).

Established in 1983, it is the only American AVA that spans multiple states. The total size is 3,495 square miles and over 40,000 acres of vineyards across three states. Growers here cultivate a diverse range of grape varieties, including native, hybrid and vinifera resulting in wines produced in a variety of styles.

As expected, the area features a cool continental climate with four seasons. Most of the Lake Erie AVA follows the Lake Erie shoreline of the Great Lake and also includes islands off the shore.

There are two sub-AVAs contained within it – Grand River Valley AVA and Isle St. George AVA. Lake Erie moderates the temperature by retaining heat into the fall season and extends the growing season allowing grapes to reach peak ripeness.

The ancient glacial soils of limestone and loam greatly help with water drainage. The winds coming off of Lake Erie is also a key to success here by circulating cool air in the vineyards and keeping them dry. This significantly reduces disease pressure limiting the need for spraying and vineyard management.

The climate moderation from the lake along with recent increasingly warm temperatures due to climate change means that growers are having success planting different varieties previously difficult to work with. Historically, native and hybrid grapes were mostly planted in the AVA, but more vinifera plantings have found to be thriving, such as Riesling, Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc.

Concord makes up about 40% of the wine production and for jams and jellies (Welch’s is a major producer in this region). Other varieties that are being produced include Lemberger aka Blaufrankisch, Teroldego (Italian vinifera), Seyval Blanc, Chambourcin and Baco Noir both (French American red hybrids).

Because of the range of grapes grown throughout this very large AVA, there is no one signature style. This allows producers to get creative and experiment. One of the lesser-known grape varieties being utilized in the region is Noiret, a black hybrid grape variety. Noiret (nwahr-AY) is often described as having a Syrah-like character with its inky-dark pigment, peppery notes, medium body and ability to age well.

Lake Erie has been planting grapes and producing wine since the early 1800s. Like all wine-producing regions in the United States, Prohibition had a devastating impact and like many regions, this region had a long uphill climb. The climate and conditions can be unpredictable. There are currently a little more than 20 wineries within the AVA.

(Image courtesy of Mazza Vineyards)

Mazza Family of Wine

One of the wine destinations I am spotlighting here is Mazza Vineyards, which includes South Shore Wine Company and Mazza Chautauqua Cellars/Five & 20 Spirits and Brewing, all within the Lake Erie AVA.

Robert Mazza, co-founder of Mazza Vineyards, for over fifty years has been growing the Mazza business originating in NW PA and the PA Wine industry as an ambassador since 1972. Mazza Vineyards, nestled along the shores of Lake Erie, is the Mazza family’s flagship location. The winery was founded and built in a rustic, Mediterranean style serving as tribute to the family’s Italian roots.

Drawing inspiration, experience, and technique from a lineage of international winemakers hailing from Germany, Portugal, Argentina, and beyond, their clean, experimental New World approach to winemaking has resulted in a fascinating wine list that ranges from crisp and pristine to robust and fruit-forward.

Here is a brief history lesson from Robert. He notes a few things helped put Pennsylvania on the map. The first was a change in regulations. Then came the awards.

“In 2024, the Decanter World Wine Awards, there were eighteen thousand wines submitted from fifty-seven countries. Only twenty gold medals were handed out. And we won for our Rosé. We produced it from a French American grape hybrid. It’s not purely European or American variety, which is unusual for a Rosé. This was the first time a Pennsylvania winery has ever won gold at the Decanter awards. It has put Pennsylvania back on the map.”

Today, Pennsylvania, is known primarily for its Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Riesling. A Mazza Vineyards, fresh juice from Pennsylvania grapes is in demand from winemakers across the country and the world. This brings joy to me because I was born and raised in PA. I’m proud of how far the PA wine industry has come even since I left to join the NY wine ranks in 2019. If you decide to visit the region, you have access to many awesome wineries in NYS as well.

Other locations within the Mazza family –

South Shore Wine Company is locally known for its historic stone cavern tasting room. Built in the 1860s in the style of traditional French wine caverns, the stone cellar is a unique (and Instagrammable!) setting for sipping some of our region’s most toast-worthy wines.

A robust selection of bubbly, made in traditional, contemporary, and experimental methods, pays homage to the region’s storied history of sparkling wines. Equally festive are a trio of delicately sweet bottles as well as a collection of lesser known, but entirely impressive emerging varietals.

Mazza Chautauqua Cellars might be their family’s third location in the Lake Erie AVA, but it’s the first of its kind in New York State. Sharing a home with our sister distillery and brewery, Five & 20 Spirits and Brewing, its signature patio space is an appropriately laid-back setting to enjoy the beverage of your choice.

The wine list here is an intentional curation of bottles that pay homage to the agricultural bounty that surrounds us, including refined European varietals and easy-sipping native varietals.

Lake Erie Wine Country is located about two hours north of Pittsburgh, and there are a dozen wineries around the city of North East, PA (often confusing because Erie is in the NW corner of the state).

Check out the wineries in the Lake Erie AVA and travel across 3 states. Many of them are open all-year round and have accommodations during the winter season. Just a little over 3 hours from Central NY.

To learn more about them, their wine portfolio, events, hours, and other exceptional wines, visit them at enjoymazza.com and Instagram @mazzawines. Below is info about their award-winning international rosé.

Do you like to learn about unique and unexplored wine regions and winery destinations? Keep following for more….

South Shore Wine Company “The Perfect Rosé”
Enchantingly dry, crisp, and refreshing, enjoy the award-winning The Perfect Rosé for a happily ever after(noon). Gently pressed Chambourcin grapes give this wine a hint of color, delicate berry flavors, and crisp acidity. which make for a refreshing rosé wine.

92 points / “Best Buy” – Wine Enthusiast

Featured in “The Best American Wines to Enjoy This Labor Day and Beyond” by Wine Enthusiast

93 points/Gold – BTI / NY Wine Classic

95 points/Gold – Decanter World Wine Awards 2024

90 points/Silver – Decanter World Wine Awards 2025

Featured in “US rosé to beat the summer heat” by Decanter

Best Rosé – 2023 PA Sommelier Judgment

Cheers,

Michael Nagy

michael.troy.nagy@gmail.com

717.877.2729

Nobody’s Wine Bar: A Hidden Gem in Central NY

December

2025

by Michael Nagy

Nobody’s Wine Bar opened in September of 2023. They were a new addition to the infamous and historic Armory Square located in downtown Syracuse. The premise behind the opening was to offer a wine bar to the community that serves a variety of hard-to-find domestic and international wines.

I would describe the space as being cozy, chic, casual, and educational. The interior features a large mural from the graffiti artist Vacant and custom lighting. It gives off vintage and art deco vibes with comfy seating on sofas, plush chairs, intimate table for two, and a long bar, which will accommodate many guests. Get ready to sip and savor and experience bottle bliss from a knowledgeable and experienced wine professional.

It’s a place where you can get a glass of wine — with about 25-30 choices at a price range starting around $10 per glass. That can go up to $50-$100 per glass for rare, high-end wines. The wine list is rotated often or seasonally to give patrons something new and fresh to try.

Their use of the Coravin wine preservation system allows them to keep bottles fresh without opening them. More bars and restaurants, especially those featuring wines or serving a lot of wine, should use a Coravin.

“What I like to say is we save the best wines for nobody,” said founder, Bob Leonard. “We open up everything, like 60-plus-year-old wine by the ounce just to give people the opportunity to try something they probably would never get the chance to otherwise.”

They try to pick wines from different regions around the world that guests might not have heard of or tried. “We try to highlight wines that I’d say are from more obscure regions and regions that kind of fly under the radar,” Leonard said.

Additionally, they like to highlight wines that incorporate unique grape varieties and are made by sustainable and environmentally-friendly producers.

The wines are available at different price points, with their most expensive bottle currently at $112 while most others between $40-$60, which is very reasonable for the atmosphere and for these rare wine finds.
They serve their wines by the half glass, full glass, and by the bottle. The half glass option is great, especially when you want to experience different wines. Grab a seat at the bar to order and engage your sommelier bartender or take your beverage to a comfortable piece of furniture. They know their stuff and would be happy to talk wine.

Nobody’s is primarily a wine bar, but they have some small bites like canned fish, local cheese and charcuterie from The Curd Nerd, and local bread and crackers. They also offer a curated selection of beer, cider, and seltzers and will unveil a small, basic cocktail program soon.

They encourage guests to bring in outside food, which is a great opportunity to discover the perfect wine pairings. Over time, they will look into offering more food choices along with occasional pop-ups.

Nobody’s is a destination where everybody is welcome. They believe, as do I, that every glass of wine tells a story waiting to be shared. With a passion for great pours, impeccable service, and an ambiance that invites you to unwind, they are thrilled to introduce you to their hidden gem on Walton St. in downtown Syracuse.

Whether you’re a seasoned sommelier or are just discovering your love for wine, come pull up a chair. Take a journey through their carefully curated selection of beverages handpicked from around the world, Central NY, and Finger Lakes region.

Great place to grab a glass while waiting for a table at a nearby restaurant or finish off a delicious meal with an exquisite wine. They have accommodating late night hours for those having dinner, attending a show, musical, or cultural event, or experiencing the nightlife in the city.

Happy Hour

Tuesday – Thursday from 4p-6p with $2 off beer & full glasses of wine and $1 off half glasses of wine.

Trivia night is every Tuesday night starting at 6:30. Happy Hour goes till 8p that night.

Hours of Operation

Tuesday – Saturday, 4p-12a (ish*) *if it’s still popping, they will stay open! Closed on Sundays and Mondays.

Location

Nobody’s Wine Bar, Armory Square, 222 Walton Street, Syracuse, NY 13202 (last shop on the street). Free street parking after 6pm.

Nobody’s offers wine classes for all wine levels with a seasonal focus conducted by staff. They are available to host your company’s private event or your special occasion event. Look for cool LGBTQIA-friendly events throughout the year as well. Check out the event schedule on Tock for their upcoming winter wine classes at Nobody’s Hospitality Group – Syracuse, NY | Tock.

My company, The Michael Pour, is excited to be partnering and collaborating with them. Our hope is to establish Nobody’s as the main source for local wine education and a primary spot for discovering special wines. If you are a local business or organization and would like to work with us or have us host an event, please let us know at michael@michaelpour.com or hello@nobodyswine.com.

Please reach out to me if you would like to grab a glass or a bottle sometime and I will introduce you to the exquisite wine list.

Meet Sarah

Sarah Gaines is the GM and Head Sommelier at Nobody’s Wine Bar. She handles the day-to-day operations of the bar. I’ve had the pleasure of recently meeting her and working with her for our upcoming “Fundamentals of Wine” class series through the Syracuse Chapter of Women for WineSense on January 18th at Nobody’s. I have frequented the bar on several occasions and plan on being a regular personally and professionally.

Her story is an intriguing one and how she landed here in Central NY to run the wine bar is worth illuminating below. Sarah and I share a similar background with our love and passion for wine. Our combined restaurant and service experiences mirror each other. Also, our deep dive in Italian wine propelled us on our wine path. I look forward to our fun times together and bringing this passion to all of you.

“Born and raised in Colorado, Sarah took an unexpected but deeply fulfilling path to the world of wine. After earning a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Alma College, she first discovered her passion for wine while working at a winery in Northern Michigan. There, she found joy in guiding guests through tastings and helping them understand why wine tastes the way it does.

Following undergrad, Sarah worked as a paralegal in Boston and Washington, D.C., and later pursued a master’s in Justice, Law, and Criminology at American University. But it was during her time as a Wine Educator at District Winery—between semesters—that Sarah realized wine wasn’t just an interest, it was her calling. She left graduate school to follow that passion full time.

Sarah went on to become the Cellar Director at RPM Italian, where she earned her Level One certification from the Court of Master Sommeliers and was later promoted to Head Sommelier. There, she helped develop one of the most extensive Italian wine lists, led staff education efforts, earned her Certified Sommelier pin, all while nurturing a deep love for Italy’s rich and complex wine traditions.

Now at Nobody’s, Sarah is excited to return to her roots as a wine educator—sharing her knowledge, exploring new regions beyond Italy, and helping guests uncover wines they’ve never heard of but will never forget.

Outside of work, Sarah stays active with weight training, golf, and spending time with her two beloved cats, Ruthie and Cork.”

Here are some of Sarah’s favorites which appear on the current wine list –

Visit them at https://www.nobodyswine.com/

Cheers & Sante,