Southeastern New England AVA

Created: 1984

Size: 1,875,200 acres total (38,850 ha)

Climate: Moderate maritime with a slight continental influence inland

Soils: Silt and loam

First planted: early 1800s

This AVA spans 13 counties in three states: Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. It includes all of the coastal islands (including the famous Martha's Vineyard, which has its own independent AVA) and a wide coastal plain within 15 miles of the coast.

The surrounding bodies of water, namely Long Island Sound, Cape Cod Bay, and Massachusetts Bay, are the major mitigating factors here keeping the region moderate. The Atlantic Gulf Stream brings warm waters from Florida, resulting in a much longer growing season than regions farther inland. Humidity is high, so most vineyards are planted on slopes to take advantage of coastal breezes and frost risk reduction.

Irrigation is typically not necessary, as the silty, loamy soils here retain water well. Cooler-climate V. vinifera varieties can do very well in most of the areas within this AVA. Chardonnay, Riesling, Vidal, and Pinot Noir are the region’s most important grapes.

Martha’s Vineyard AVA

Created: 1985

Size: 64,000 acres total (25,900 ha)

Climate: Moderate maritime

Soils: Free-draining sand

First planted: 1602

Number of wineries: 0

This is a very controversial AVA, created in 1985 based on historical evidence that viticulture has been practiced on the Massachusetts island since the 1600s. Despite its name, very little viticulture happens on the island, and the majority of alcoholic beverage production consists of beer. Martha's Vineyard is better known as a holiday destination for well-off New Englanders than as a winegrowing region.

Creation of this AVA was fought by California’s Heitz Cellar, which owns a very high quality vineyard in Napa Valley named Martha’s Vineyard. Heitz argued that recognition of the AVA would dilute its brand. Heitz lost the fight and the AVA was named officially in 1985.

Any vineyards that could exist here would benefit from the moderate-to-warm maritime climate and free-draining sandy soils. The growing season here is up to 3 weeks longer than surrounding growing regions, and the grapes would reach a high level of phenolic ripeness.