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.