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.