Johnson Estate Winery began with Frederick Johnson (1877- 1960), who in 1908 purchased the farm and family home, built in 1822. The farm consisted of several orchards and a number of vineyards – predominately Concord grapes – which Frederick marketed through Sunnyslope Fruit Farm. Johnson family lore credits Frederick with the unofficial start of the winery during prohibition when he made wine from his homegrown grapes. His son, Frederick Spencer Johnson (1921-1998), grew up on the farm and later graduated from Cornell University after distinguished military service. In 1960, he returned home and began planting French-American hybrid grapes; the winery was officially founded in 1961. Frederick Spencer Johnson’s children are proud to continue their family’s winemaking tradition.