Cayuga Lake AVA

The Cayuga Lake AVA is an American Viticultural Area around Cayuga Lake in Upstate New York. The boundaries of the AVA include portions of Cayuga, Seneca, and Tompkins counties. Most of the vineyards in the AVA are planted in the shale soils of the hillsides on the western side of Cayuga Lake. Vineyards are planted at a range of elevations above the surface of the lake, up to 800 feet (244 m) higher.[4] The steep hillsides and the lake together form a unique micro-climate in autumn that helps extend the growing season by preventing cold air from settling and producing frost. The Cayuga grape variety was created in this region by researchers at Cornell University.[3]

Cayuga Lake AVA
Wine region
Vineyard overlooking Cayuga Lake
TypeAmerican Viticultural Area
Year established1988[1]
CountryUnited States
Part ofFinger Lakes AVA
Other regions in Finger Lakes AVASeneca Lake AVA
Climate regionContinental
Total area460 acres (186 ha)[2]
Varietals producedBaco noir, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Catawba, Cayuga, Chambourcin, Chancellor, Chardonnay, Concord, Delaware, Diamond, Gewurztraminer, Isabella, Ives noir, Lemberger, Marechal Foch, Melody, Merlot, Niagara, Pinot gris, Pinot noir, Riesling, Sangiovese, Seyval blanc, Syrah, Traminette, Vidal blanc, Vignoles, Viognier[3]

History

The first winery in the area was founded in 1980, although grapes were grown on the shores of Cayuga Lake for the large wineries in Hammondsport before then.[5] In 1981, four wineries on the lake banded together to form the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail, the first of its kind in New York State. By 1988, the appellation was given AVA status, the first Finger Lake to be granted its own AVA.[4]

References
  1. Code of Federal Regulations. "§ 9.127 Cayuga Lake." Archived 2008-01-19 at the Wayback Machine Title 27: Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; Part 9 — American Viticultural Areas; Subpart C — Approved American Viticultural Areas. Retrieved February 6, 2008.
  2. Wine Institute, The (2008). "American Viticultural Areas by State" Archived January 27, 2008, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 6, 2008.
  3. Appellation America (2007). "Cayuga Lake (AVA): Appellation Description". Retrieved February 6, 2008.
  4. "History". Cayuga Wine Trail. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
  5. "History". Lucas Vineyards. Archived from the original on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
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