The Lake Erie American Viticulture Area
The Heart of grape production in the Eastern United States
The Lake Erie AVA is the largest grape production region east of the Rockies. Characterized as a cool climate grape region moderated by the waters of the Great Lakes, the region is well suited for fruit production including Concord, Niagara, French-American Hybrids, and cold-hardy V. vinifera. In New York and Pennsylvania, 80% of the grapes produced are processed for the juice and jelly market and sold internationally, which substantially benefits the local economy. The remaining 20% of grape production in NY and PA is fermented for the ever-growing wine industry.
Concord not a wine grape? Balderdash! Of the 20% of grapes produced for wine in NY and PA, 40% of it is Concord.
The All-American Super Food, antioxidant rich Concord can be poured for breakfast, spread on a PB&J, eaten as a table grape, and sipped as an everyday table wine. It even makes one heck of a dessert pie! Name another grape that can do all that.
Data source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, https://www.nass.usda.gov/
From Buffalo, NY to Erie, PA, the moderating waters of Lake Erie provide the unique climate for quality grape production in the Northeast.