| Wine region | |
 Vineyard overlooking Cayuga Lake | |
| Type | American Viticultural Area |
|---|---|
| Year established | 1988[1] |
| Country | United States |
| Part of | Finger Lakes AVA |
| Other regions in Finger Lakes AVA | Seneca Lake AVA |
| Climate region | Continental |
| Total area | 460 acres (186 ha)[2] |
| Varietals produced | Baco 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] |
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]
- ^ 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.
- ^ Wine Institute, The (2008). "American Viticultural Areas by State" Archived January 27, 2008, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 6, 2008.
- ^ a b Appellation America (2007). "Cayuga Lake (AVA): Appellation Description". Retrieved February 6, 2008.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
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