Lake Michigan Shore AVA is an American Viticultural Area located in southwest Michigan. Located in the state's traditional "fruit belt region", Lake Michigan Shore is the oldest modern commercial grape region of the state and home to a majority of Michigan vineyards and half of the state wine grape production. Vineyards in the region date back to 1867.
| Wine region | |
| Type | American Viticultural Area |
|---|---|
| Year established | 1983, amended in 1987[1] |
| Country | United States |
| Part of | Michigan |
| Sub-regions | Fennville AVA |
| Climate region | Continental |
| Soil conditions | Sandy[2] |
| Total area | 1,280,000 acres (5,180 km2)[3] |
| Grapes produced | Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chancellor, Chardonnay, Chelois, De Chaunac, Gewurztraminer, Lemberger, Malbec, Marsanne, Merlot, Müller-Thurgau, Petit Verdot, Pinot gris, Pinot noir, Riesling, Roussanne, Seyval blanc, St. Vincent, Syrah, Traminette, Vidal blanc, Vignoles, Viognier[4] |
| No. of wineries | 15[4] |
Climate and geography
The AVA boundaries include the smaller Fennville AVA and extend as far as 45 miles (72 km) inland from the lakeshore; however, the climate and glacial moraine soils are relatively similar throughout. The "lake effect" off of Lake Michigan tempers the northern climate. Lake Michigan Shore AVA has a warmer growing season, as much as two weeks longer than the Leelanau Peninsula AVA and Old Mission Peninsula AVA, both of which are in Northern Michigan.[4] The hardiness zone is 6a except near enough to Lake Michigan in Berrien County where it is 6b.