The Lancaster Valley AVA is an American Viticultural Area located in Lancaster and Chester counties of southeastern Pennsylvania, centered on the city of Lancaster. The wine region includes 225,000 acres (91,054 ha) in a valley that is roughly 30 miles (48 km) long and 12 miles (19 km) wide, although only 400 acres (162 ha) are planted to grapevines. The Lancaster Valley area is one of the most fertile agricultural areas in Pennsylvania, and features rich topsoil over limestone bedrock.[3] It has a hot-summer humid continental climate (Dfa) and is located in hardiness zone 7a.
Wine region | |
![]() The Lancaster Valley near the Susquehanna River Valley | |
Type | American Viticultural Area |
---|---|
Year established | 1984[1] |
Country | United States |
Part of | Pennsylvania |
Climate region | Continental/humid subtropical |
Soil conditions | Karst |
Total area | 225,000 acres (91,054 ha)[2] |
Size of planted vineyards | 400 acres (162 ha)[3] |
Grapes produced | Cabernet Franc, Catawba, Cayuga, Chambourcin, Chancellor, De Chaunac, Merlot, Niagara, Seyval blanc, Vidal blanc, Vignoles[3] |
No. of wineries | 10[3] |
References
edit- ^ "§9.41 Lancaster Valley" (Title 27: Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; Part 9 — American Viticultural Areas; Subpart C — Approved American Viticultural Areas). Code of Federal Regulations (e-CFR). Retrieved February 5, 2008.
- ^ "American Viticultural Areas by State". Wine Institute. 2008. Archived from the original on January 27, 2008. Retrieved February 5, 2008.
- ^ a b c d "Lancaster-Valley (AVA): Appellation Profile". Appellation America. 2007. Archived from the original on June 10, 2013.