New Hampshire
Climate: Cool continental
Soils: Rocky granite hills, glacial deposits, and gneiss
New Hampshire does not at this point have any official AVAs. The state has focused until very recently on fruit wines. Creation of cold-hardy hybrids, especially those released by the University of Minnesota’s Grape Breeding and Enology Project, have recently boosted wine production throughout the state, and climate change is due to make New Hampshire viticulture even more promising in the near future. Common hybrids include Frontenac, La Crescent, Marquette, and Seyval Blanc
New Hampshire wineries are scattered throughout the state. Where the state’s first AVA will appear is up for debate. In some regions lakes moderate the climate, and south facing slopes are of utmost importance. Large wineries like Labelle and Flag Hill are accompanied by a handful of smaller producers, and a marketing push is currently underway to get this state’s wineries more recognition.
Vermont
Climate: Cool continental
Soils: Glacial schist, granite, and gneiss
Vermont does not at this point have any official AVAs. Historically Vermont has focused on production of spirits due to its cold climate, which was not conducive to growing grapes. Creation of cold-hardy hybrids changed this, and climate change is due to make Vermont a bit more friendly to winegrowing in the near future. Hybrids include Frontenac, La Crescent, Marquette, and Seyval Blanc, and some cold-climate V. vinifera varieties like Riesling are now being grown successfully. In addition, Vermont is one of the few regions in the world that can produce genuine ice wine.
Most Vermont wineries are located in the northwest of the state near Lake Champlain, which is shared by New York State. This will likely become the state’s first AVA. The lake effect moderates the climate, allowing vinifera vines to grow well. Efforts to name wine routes, create cooperative associations such as the Vermont Grape and Wine Council to aid producers, and market the region are ongoing. Wineries like La Garagista have garnered national attention and picked up distribution as far away as the West Coast.
Pennsylvania
Lake Erie AVA
Created: 1983
Size: 40,000 acres planted (18,000 ha)
Climate: Cool continental, high humidity
Soils: Sand and gravel topsoil over deep clay, fertile
First planted: 1840
Number of wineries: 58
This is a large region (the largest grape-growing region east of the Rockies) that spans the three states of New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, and includes the 18 US islands in Lake Erie. Shallow Lake Erie’s proximity creates a lake effect here, lengthening the growing season and allowing ripening of vinifera grapes. Vines are generally safe from spring frost due to cold winds keeping the temperatures down and therefore delaying budburst until weather threats have passed.
Complex soils here are the result of glaciations slowly carving the landscape. Glacial deposits form the topsoil, allowing for good drainage. Many mesoclimates are available to vineyards due to the sculpted environment, and sought-after southern facing slopes offer warmer locations with plenty of sunlight hours.
Lake Erie AVA is the land of the Concord grape, which was introduced in the mid-1800s and has dominated the landscape ever since. Many wineries here sustained themselves through Prohibition by selling grapes to home winemakers (and selling some illegally to Canada), producing sacramental wines, and making grape juice from their Concords for Welch’s. Today Concord still dominates production along with a handful of other native and hybrid varieties, but cold-hardy V. vinifera grapes are increasingly being planted and quality improvements are being seen. Riesling has been the most successful vinifera grape thus far.
Lehigh Valley AVA
Created: 2008
Size: 500 acres planted (202 ha)
Climate: Cool continental
Soils: Calcareous clay, limestone, shale
First planted: Late 1960s
Number of wineries: 10
This AVA is formed by the Lehigh River, a tributary of the Delaware which marks the AVA's eastern edge. Appalachian ranges form the northern and southern boundaries. The Lehigh Valley is composed of a large limestone basin that was once a sea; calcareous marine sediments piled up over time on the seabed, forming the base soil of the AVA. This soil is porous and drains water away from root zones efficiently while storing water for release at a later point.
The general form of soil in Lehigh Valley is similar to that of the vineyards of Burgundy. Climate here has also been compared to that of cooler European climates. A wide range of varieties is grown in the Lehigh Valley: native grapes, French-American hybrids, and V. vinifera vines such as Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Riesling, and the Bordeaux grapes.
Central Delaware Valley AVA
Created: 1984
Size: 96,000 acres total (38,850 ha)
Climate: Cool continental, with hot summers and high humidity
Soils: Rocky shale
First planted: 1974
Number of wineries: 3
This AVA is located in New Jersey and in Pennsylvania. It surrounds the Delaware River to the north of Philadelphia. This region is not suited to large vineyards, and therefore its commercial viticulture potential is limited; only a few wineries are making wine in this area. While most of the AVA zone is found in New Jersey in Hunterdon and Mercer Counties, the majority of vineyards are located on the Pennsylvania side in Bucks County.
A mix of hybrids and V. vinifera (Cabernet, Chardonnay, and Pinot Grigio in particular) are grown here.
Lancaster Valley AVA
Created: 1984
Size: 400 acres planted (160 ha)
Climate: Moderate continental with hot summers and high humidity
Soils: Well-drained calcareous clay, limestone, and shale; karst
First planted: Early 1800s
Number of wineries: 10
The Lancaster Valley is one of the most fertile agricultural areas in Pennsylvania. It is not a river valley, but a geological depression between ranges of the Appalachians. Similarly to the Lehigh Valley, this area was at one point a shallow sea and its soils derive from calcareous marine sediment.
Once a productive winegrowing region, Lancaster Valley was devastated by war, grapevine disease, and then Prohibition. It is only now beginning to recover. Planted vineyard area is increasing, as is the number of wineries. The free-draining soils and favorable conditions during the growing season offer excellent winegrowing conditions for native, hybrid, and vinifera grapes. Chambourcin, Seyval Blanc, Delaware, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Riesling, and Bordeaux varieties all grow successfully here.
New Jersey
Warren Hills AVA
Created: 1988
Size: 100 acres planted (40.5 ha)
Climate: Cool continental with high humidity
Soils: Silt and loam over a limestone base
First planted: 1980
Number of wineries: 5
This AVA surrounds multiple tributaries of the Delaware River, and the Warren Hills form the northeastern ridge of Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley AVA. Slopes along the rivers offer southeast-facing vineyard sites with plenty of sunlight exposure and protection from spring frosts. Nearly constant breezes traversing the tributary valleys prolong the growing season, allowing good ripening conditions.
The Warren Hills AVA’s unique soils define this region. Well-draining shallow, rocky topsoils create slight water stress resulting in reduced yields and increased concentration of flavors and aromas; this in combination with the long growing season produces grapes with high levels of phenolic compounds. Wines can demonstrate racy acidity, good tannic structure, and bold flavors and aromas. Cold-hardy V. vinifera like Chardonnay, Riesling, and Pinot Noir are planted alongside native grapes and hybrids like Delaware, Vidal Blanc, and Seyval Blanc.
Central Delaware Valley AVA
Created: 1984
Size: 96,000 acres total (38,850 ha)
Climate: Cool continental, with hot summers and high humidity
Soils: Rocky shale
First planted: 1974
Number of wineries: 3
This AVA is located in New Jersey and in Pennsylvania. It surrounds the Delaware River to the north of Philadelphia. This region is not suited to large vineyards, and therefore its commercial viticulture potential is limited; only a few wineries are making wine in this area. While most of the AVA zone is found in New Jersey in Hunterdon and Mercer Counties, the majority of vineyards are located on the Pennsylvania side in Bucks County.
A mix of hybrids and V. vinifera (Cabernet, Chardonnay, and Pinot Grigio in particular) are grown here.
Outer Coastal Plain AVA and Cape May AVA
Created: 2007 (Outer Coastal Plain), 2018 (Cape May)
Size: 2,250,000 acres total (911,000 ha)
Climate: Moderate maritime
Soils: Well-drained sandy or sandy loam soils, moderate fertility
First planted: Early 1800s
Number of wineries: 32
These AVAs have a rich tradition of winemaking. Native varieties, hybrids, and V. vinifera vines all grow very well in the flat sandy plains and gentle rolling hills along New Jersey’s Atlantic coastline.
Outer Coastal Plain AVA is home to one of the oldest continuously operating wineries in the United States: Renault, established in Egg Harbor City in 1864. During the 1800s, wines from this AVA were internationally lauded, winning medals and awards throughout Europe. Prohibition, however, had a drastic effect here, and winemaking essentially ceased. The New Jersey Farm Winery Act sparked production once again in the 1980s.
Climate here is substantially different than other New Jersey AVAS. The warm Atlantic Gulf Stream brings warming onshore breezes and warm water from Florida, resulting in a long growing season. This provides ideal conditions for ripening V. vinifera varieties. Soils with excellent drainage and low fertility add to the ideal terroir here. The Cape May Peninsula AVA is focusing on vinifera varieties in particular, offering a wide array of wines from varieties such as Albariño, Dolcetto, Tempranillo, Nebbiolo, Merlot, Barbera, Moscato, Malvasia, and Viognier.
The number of wineries in these AVAs is once again growing and vineyards are expanding. Look to this area for significant amounts of excellent wines in the near future.
New York
Niagara Escarpment AVA
Created: 2005
Size: 18,000 acres total (7,284 ha)
Climate: Cool continental
Soils: Free-draining, infertile gravelly limestone
First planted: mid-19th century
Number of wineries: 22
This AVA sits right next to Niagara Falls, from which it derives its name. Vines here are planted between 400 and 600 feet altitude. Outside this range, frost and cool air make it nearly impossible to ripen grapes. Nearby Lake Ontario’s lake effect creates warm air circulation during the critical late-summer ripening period, and this warm air is trapped by the escarpment, allowing grapes in zone long growing seasons and the capacity to ripen.
Abundant rainfall necessitates well-drained soils to limit vines’ water uptake, and therefore limit yield. This results in more concentration of flavors and phenolic compounds in the grapes. This combination of circumstances creates grapes with excellent winemaking potential, and wines from this region are quickly becoming recognized for their high quality.
Native and hybrid grapes have long been widely planted in this region. More recently, cool-climate V. vinifera vines have increasingly been planted with a great deal of success. Today, the Niagara, Concord, and Catawba vines are grown alongside Riesling, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and many German varieties. Dry white and red wines are made here, as are genuine ice wines.
Lake Erie AVA
Created: 1983
Size: 40,000 acres planted (18,000 ha)
Climate: Cool continental, high humidity
Soils: Sand and gravel topsoil over deep clay, fertile
First planted: 1840
Number of wineries: 58
This is a large region (the largest grape-growing region east of the Rockies) that spans the three states of New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, and includes the 18 US islands in Lake Erie. Shallow Lake Erie’s proximity creates a lake effect here, lengthening the growing season and allowing ripening of vinifera grapes. Vines are generally safe from spring frost due to cold winds keeping the temperatures down and therefore delaying budburst until weather threats have passed.
Complex soils here are the result of glaciations slowly carving the landscape. Glacial deposits form the topsoil, allowing for good drainage. Many mesoclimates are available to vineyards due to the sculpted environment, and sought-after southern facing slopes offer warmer locations with plenty of sunlight hours.
Lake Erie AVA is the land of the Concord grape, which was introduced in the mid-1800s and has dominated the landscape ever since. Many wineries here sustained themselves through Prohibition by selling grapes to home winemakers (and selling some illegally to Canada), producing sacramental wines, and making grape juice from their Concords for Welch’s. Today Concord still dominates production along with a handful of other native and hybrid varieties, but cold-hardy V. vinifera grapes are increasingly being planted and quality improvements are being seen. Riesling has been the most successful vinifera grape thus far.
The Finger Lakes AVAs
Created: 1982 (Finger Lakes), 1988 (Cayuga Lake), 2003 (Seneca Lake)
Size: 11,000 acres planted (4,452 ha)
Climate: Cool continental
Soils: Deep glacial deposits, very mixed
First planted: 1829
Number of wineries: 103
The Finger Lakes AVA is one of the most successful AVAs in the Northeast. The deep glacial lakes mitigate the cold climate of the vineyard areas, releasing stored heat during the winter and preventing early spring frost. Steep hillside plots receive excellent sunlight exposure and benefit from winds due to the lake effect as well. Abundant rainfall can result in high disease pressure, so vineyard management techniques are very important to produce high quality fruit. Today wines of exceptional quality are coming from the Finger Lakes and gaining recognition in the United States and on the international market.
Within the Finger Lakes AVA are many subregions, two of which have been awarded their own AVA status: Seneca Lake AVA and Cayuga Lake AVA. Cayuga was recognized first, in 1988, and currently has 460 acres of vineyards planted predominately with Riesling, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, and Pinot Gris. Seneca Lake, the deepest of the Finger Lakes, earned AVA status in 2003 and now has 3,700 acres planted.
Vineyards in the Finger Lakes were originally planted with native and hybrid varieties. This began to change with the arrival of Dr. Konstantin Frank, who believed this region could rival the great German Riesling appellations. After showing V. vinifera could grow and ripen in the Finger Lakes, Dr. Frank planted Riesling along with other cool-climate vinifera varieties. Dr. Frank’s winery inspired others to do the same, and today the region is thriving. Native and hybrids can still be found, but the Finger Lakes AVA proudly produces a large amount of vinifera wines from Riesling, Pinot Noir, Gamay, Chardonnay, and many aromatic white varieties, and today is also having success with Bordeaux varieties.
Champlain Valley of New York AVA
Created: 2016
Size: 500 acres planted (202 ha)
Climate: Cool continental
Soils: Deep glacial deposits, very mixed
First planted: 1970s (though V. riparia was growing wild here before)
Number of wineries: 6
This AVA exists solely in New York, though Lake Champlain’s vineyards continue on into Vermont (without an AVA). The vineyards and wineries in the Champlain Valley are planted on deep calcareous clays, the result of ancient seas that filled the valleys. Glacial activity exposed these calcium-rich soils, also creating a mosaic of mesoclimates in the region.
The Champlain Valley specializes in cold-hardy varieties, such as Marquette, LaCrescent, and Frontenac, many of them developed at the University of Minnesota specifically to handle cold climates. In the 1970s growers began planting grapes in earnest here, and by the 1990s high-quality and disease resistant grapes were developed that could thrive in this rather extreme area. Quality is continuing to improve today, and interesting wines are coming out of this new AVA.
Hudson River Region AVA
Created: 1982
Size: 500 acres planted (202 ha)
Climate: Cool continental
Soils: Glacial deposits made up of shale, schist, slate and limestone
First planted: early 1800s
Number of wineries: 30
This AVA is home to the oldest continuously active winery in the US (the Brotherhood Winery, established in 1839), as well as the oldest commercial vineyard in America. Most vineyards today are planted along the right bank of the Hudson River. The Hudson’s orientation helps to funnel marine breezes between the vineyard rows. Increasing land prices here and urbanization are threatening this AVA as housing has expanded into the vineyards.
Though this is a cool region, summers can be warm and humid. Disease pressure is high and fully organic viticulture is difficult to achieve. Freezing winters force winegrowers to mound up dirt around the bases of the vines, and late pruning, which delays bud burst and helps to avoid risk of spring frost, is practiced.
French hybrids like Baco Noir, Seyval Blanc, and Vidal Blanc, native V. labrusca vines like Concord and Delaware, and cold-hardy V. vinifera vines such as Riesling, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Franc make up most wine production. Quality is improving, and some interesting wines are beginning to hit the market from this region.
Long Island’s AVAs
Created: 2001 (Long Island), 1985 (The Hamptons, Long Island), 1986 (North Fork of Long Island)
Size: 749,146 acres (303,169 ha)
Climate: Moderate maritime with high humidity
Soils: Mainly loams and silts
First planted: 1973
Number of wineries: 57
The Long Island AVA was created in 2001, 15+ years after the two smaller appellations on Long Island were created. It was developed to allow wineries outside the two smaller appellations, or wineries wishing to blend grapes from the two smaller appellations, use of an AVA.
The soils and climate on Long Island are unique in New York. The North Fork is heavily influenced by three bodies of water: Long Island Sound, Peconic Bay, and the Atlantic Ocean. Soils here are Haven loam and Riverhead sandy loam, two types of infertile fine sandy loam and loess mixes that are well-drained. Haven loams have a bit more clay, and therefore more water holding capacity. The South Fork, where The Hamptons AVA is located, has more of an influence from the Atlantic as well as Peconic Bay. It is cooler and foggier than the North Fork. Soils here are different from those of the North Fork: this region was created by a different glaciation. The silty loam here is less well-drained than those of the North Fork, and is said to give a lighter, more elegant character to the wines. Most wineries are concentrated in the North Fork due to exceedingly high land prices of the South Fork.
The long growing season and mild seasons on Long Island provided by the influence from large bodies of water allows ripening of a wide array of V. vinifera grapes. Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay reign as the top white grapes, while elegant, fruit-driven reds are produced from the classic Bordeaux grapes. Long Island’s Merlot, in particular, has garnered wide praise recently, and its Cabernet Sauvignons have also gained recognition. A well-organized sustainability effort and cooperative marketing have driven Long Island’s rapid ascent into the spotlight. This region is producing quality wines that can hold their own against famous regions from around the world.
Ohio
Isle St. George AVA
Created: 1982
Size: 320 acres planted
Climate: Cool to moderate maritime
Soils: Glacial deposits with high proportions of sand and clay
First planted: 1850’s
Number of wineries: 0 (mainland wineries source grapes from this AVA)
This AVA is located on North Bass Island, 40 miles south of Detroit. Its location in Lake Eerie, the warmest of the Great Lakes, creates a maritime climate that allows for V. vinifera plantings. The growing season here is significantly longer than that of other Ohio AVAs, and harvest can push up to six weeks beyond the mainland areas.
The Isle St. George AVA grows cool climate vinifera grapes such as Cabernet Franc and Pinot Grigio (the two most common), Riesling, and Chardonnay alongside hybrids like Delaware and Catawba. The grapes best known here, however, are Cabernet Franc and Pinot Grigio. Most of the land here is owned by the State of Ohio (there are only about 20 residents on the island).
Grand River Valley AVA
Created: 1983
Size: 128,600 acres
Climate: Cool to moderate maritime
Soils: Glacial deposits, sand and gravel
First planted: mid-19th century
Number of wineries: 30+
This AVA lies along the shore of Lake Erie and entirely within the larger Lake Erie AVA. The warm waters of the lake create a maritime climate which allows for ripening of a wide range of V. vinifera and hybrid varieties. Reduced risk of spring frost results in plantings of earlier-budding varieties like Merlot here.
Glacial activity in this region has created a varying topography that includes many slopes with southeast aspect and excellent drainage ideal for viticulture. Riesling, Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc are joined in the vineyards by hybrids such as Chambourcin, Vidal Blanc, and Traminette.
Lake Erie AVA
Created: 1983
Size: 40,000 acres planted (18,000 ha)
Climate: Cool continental, high humidity
Soils: Sand and gravel topsoil over deep clay, fertile
First planted: 1840
Number of wineries: 58
This is a large region (the largest grape-growing region east of the Rockies) that spans the three states of New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, and includes the 18 US islands in Lake Erie. Shallow Lake Erie’s proximity creates a lake effect here, lengthening the growing season and allowing ripening of vinifera grapes. Vines are generally safe from spring frost due to cold winds keeping the temperatures down and therefore delaying budburst until weather threats have passed.
Complex soils here are the result of glaciations slowly carving the landscape. Glacial deposits form the topsoil, allowing for good drainage. Many mesoclimates are available to vineyards due to the sculpted environment, and sought-after southern facing slopes offer warmer locations with plenty of sunlight hours.
Lake Erie AVA is the land of the Concord grape, which was introduced in the mid-1800s and has dominated the landscape ever since. Many wineries here sustained themselves through Prohibition by selling grapes to home winemakers (and selling some illegally to Canada), producing sacramental wines, and making grape juice from their Concords for Welch’s. Today Concord still dominates production along with a handful of other native and hybrid varieties, but cold-hardy V. vinifera grapes are increasingly being planted and quality improvements are being seen. Riesling has been the most successful vinifera grape thus far.
Ohio River Valley AVA
Created: 1983
Size: 15,500,000 acres
Climate: Wide range
Soils: Wide range
First planted: early 1800’s
Number of wineries: 103
This AVA spans the catchment of the Ohio River on its south-westerly course through West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky, and is the second largest AVA in the United States. Many question its existence as an AVA due to its sheer size, which is comparable to the distance from Los Angeles to Napa. The Ohio River Valley’s climate is difficult to pinpoint, as it’s based on exact location. Climate zones range from cool continental to warmer humid subtropical. Many hybrid varieties are grown throughout the AVA, as well as V. vinifera varieties like Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Petit Manseng, and Riesling.
Michigan
Leelanau Peninsula AVA
Created: 1982
Size: 75,000 acres
Climate: Cool maritime
Soils: Glacial deposits of clay, sand, and loam on top of bedrock of granite and limestone
First planted: 1970’s
Number of wineries: 20+
This AVA covers the whole of the Leelanau Peninsula in the northwest of Michigan. The peninsula lies between Lake Michigan and the Grand Traverse Bay, giving the area (which would otherwise be cold) a cool maritime climate. This Lake Effect is critical to wine production here. These large bodies of water also delay budburst, which lowers the risk of devastating spring frosts. Planting vineyards on slopes here is also crucial to mitigate frost risk. Due to its extreme northerly location, Leelanau is one of the few AVAs in the United States that can regularly produce true icewine.
Leelanau has a relatively short growing season. Glacial soils abound which drain freely and are generally poor in nutrients, resulting in vines that are stressed enough to produce excellent quality fruit. Cool climate V. vinifera varieties such as Riesling, Pinot (Blanc, Gris, and Noir), Chardonnay, and Blaufränkisch do quite well in these growing conditions, and some excellent wines are also made from Merlot.
Old Mission Peninsula AVA
Created: 1987
Size: 19,200 acres
Climate: Cool maritime
Soils: Glacial deposits of clay, sand, and loam on top of bedrock of granite and limestone
First planted: 1970’s
Number of wineries: 11
This AVA is bounded by the Old Traverse Bay and lies due east of the Leelanau Peninsula AVA. The name refers to an old Presbyterian mission that stood in the area since 1839, but was eventually relocated to Leelanau.
Complex soils consisting of glacial deposits are similar to those in Leelanau. Also similarly, Old Mission Peninsula depends on the Lake Effect to moderate its climate, resulting in a cool maritime climate perfect for growing a wide array of V. vinifera grapes (Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Gamay noir, Gewurztraminer, Malbec, Merlot, Muscat Ottonel, Pinot blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot noir, Riesling… and more). There are some hybrid plantings in this AVA, predominantly Chambourcin and Vignoles.
Tip of the Mitt AVA
Created: 2016
Size: 1,754,448 acres
Climate: Cold continental
Soils: Deep glacial deposits, very mixed
First planted: 1829
Number of wineries: 103
The shape and location of this AVA are aptly described by its name. It occupies the top portion of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. It’s location and size make it colder than the nearby Leelanau and Old Mission AVAs, resulting in plantings of cold climate hybrids similar to those in Vermont and New Hampshire (such as Frontenac, Marquette, La Crescent).
Surrounding bodies of water help moderate the climate here via the Lake Effect. Without these influences viticulture would not be possible. Frosts are a risk, and planting on slopes is key to successful vineyards here. Glacial soils here have a higher clay content resulting in an increased water holding capacity and more plentiful nutrients. These cooler soils help to delay budbreak, which can mitigate frost risk.
Many producers in this AVA create fruit wine as well as wines from hybrid grape varieties.
Lake Michigan Shore AVA
Created: 1983
Size: 1,280,000 acres
Climate: Cool continental
Soils: Glacial moraine, sand
First planted: 1860’s
Number of wineries: 50+
This AVA is the most important in the state volume-wise, with more than 90% of all vineyards planted here. It is also the oldest modern commercial grape growing region in Michigan. The Kalamazoo River serves as the northern boundary of this appellation; its southern border is the state of Indiana. It extends for about 50 miles inland from the lake. Though the Lake Michigan Shore AVA is dependent on the Lake Effect like its northerly neighbor AVAs, the growing season here can extend two to three weeks beyond that of Leelanau, Old Mission, and Tip of the Mitt.
Glacial soils with high sand content allow roots to dig deep. Vineyards tend to be planted on slopes to mitigate frost risk. V. vinifera grapes grow alongside hybrid varieties. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Riesling are common, as are Chambourcin and Vignoles.
Fennville AVA
Created: 1981
Size: 75,000 acres
Climate: Cool continental
Soils: Glacial deposits with high proportions of sand
First planted: 1860’s
This AVA is entirely contained within the Lake Michigan Shore AVA. Its unique quality is its extremely sandy soils, the result of glaciations over millennia, which drain freely and result in more delicate, fresh white wines as the region’s specialty. Riesling, Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris are the best known varieties grown here, though there are some plantings of hybrids as well. Fennville has the distinction of being the first AVA created in Michigan, in 1981.