South Shore Wine Company

History

The South Shore Wine Company, established by William Griffith and Smith S. Hammond in 1864, was Erie County’s first commercial winery.  The original stone wine cavern, built in the 1860s and fashioned after French wine caverns, is one of very few of its kind in the United States.  After Griffith’s untimely death, the winery continued operation under various owners and winemakers for many years until the Prohibition halted production in the 1920s.  In fact, the South Shore Wine Company was one of the longest running wineries in Pennsylvania.

Though the wine cellar sat mostly unused and unvisited for many years, the upstairs building was purchased, renovated, and transformed from a barn into a popular restaurant, inn, and banquet hall, which was in operation for nearly a century.  North East natives fondly recall visiting the South Shore Inn for parties, bands, proms, and class reunions.  Though it is rumored that the building may have been part of the underground railroad, no actual evidence backing this up has been found.  However, when you visit the South Shore Wine Company and Vintage Room, it is easy to imagine how freed slaves of the past eras could have hidden out there, or even how a lawbending winemaker could have set up a bootlegging operation in a dark hidden corner of the cellar. Historical articles for continued reading will be posted soon. Be sure to check back for updates!