Seneca Lake AVA
The Seneca Lake AVA is an American Viticultural Area around Seneca Lake in Upstate New York. The wine appellation is entirely contained within the larger Finger Lakes AVA, and includes portions of Ontario, Schuyler, Seneca, and Yates counties. Seneca Lake is a glacial lake about 35 miles (56 km) long and up to 600 feet (180 m) deep. The lake does not freeze in winter, and acts as a giant heat storage unit for the vineyards surrounding the lake, extending the growing season. The most commercially important grape variety in the region is Riesling, although a wide variety of Vitis vinifera and French hybrid grapes are grown.
| Wine region | |
| Type | American Viticultural Area |
|---|---|
| Year established | 1988, amended 2003 |
| Country | United States |
| Part of | Finger Lakes AVA |
| Other regions in Finger Lakes AVA | Cayuga Lake AVA |
| Climate region | Continental |
| Total area | 204,600 acres (82,799 ha) |
| Size of planted vineyards | 3,700 acres (1,497 ha) |
| Varietals produced | Baco noir, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Catawba, Cayuga, Chardonnay, Delaware, Gewurztraminer, Melody, Merlot, Niagara, Pinot noir, Riesling, Sangiovese |
| No. of wineries | 44 |
In 1977, Glenora Wine Cellars was the first winery to open on Seneca Lake. Other wineries soon followed, including Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard and Wagner Vineyards, established by Stanley Wagner in 1979.