This Friday marks the start of the second consecutive Harvest Wine Weekends celebrated across Lake Erie Wine Country.

While the event is a tradition, Lake Erie Wine Country has a new president and CEO.

Shaun Smith, who is a Buffalo native and Captain in the Merchant Marine, recently took the job.

Lake Erie Wine Country is a consortium of 24 wineries in Erie County and Western New York.

Smith has a marketing background and said one of the main goals for the new year is branding Lake Erie Wine Country, so that everyone knows what it is. 

"It represents a wonderful opportunity both for me personally and for the region," said Smith. "We have the most beautiful region in the world and i want everyone to know that."

Smith and the Lake Erie Wine Country Board will be working on a strategic plan to strengthen the organization.

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