Champlain Valley of New York AVA
| Wine region | |
| Type | American Viticultural Area |
|---|---|
| Year established | 2016 |
| Years of wine industry | 45 |
| Country | United States |
| Part of | New York |
| Other regions in New York | Cayuga Lake AVA, Finger Lakes AVA, Hudson River Region AVA, Lake Erie AVA, Long Island AVA, Niagara Escarpment AVA, North Fork of Long Island AVA, Seneca Lake AVA, The Hamptons, Long Island AVA, Upper Hudson AVA |
| Growing season | 159 days |
| Climate region | Region II-III |
| Heat units | 1,500 to 2,500 GDD units |
| Precipitation (annual average) | 30 to 38 in (760–970 mm) Snow: 60 in (152 cm) |
| Soil conditions | glacial silt above bedrock, slate, limestone, calcareous clay, sandy and clay loams with additional soils based on mountainous erosion |
| Total area | 320,000 acres (500 sq mi) |
| Size of planted vineyards | 120 acres (49 ha) |
| No. of vineyards | fewer than 10 |
| Grapes produced | Cold-hardy North American hybrid grape varieties, Crimson Pearl, Frontenac, La Crescent, Laurentia, Marquette, Sabrevois, Petite Pearl, Riesling and St. Croix |
| No. of wineries | 7 |
Champlain Valley of New York is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in Clinton and Essex Counties of New York nestled in its northeastern corner adjacent to the U.S.-Canada and state of Vermont borders. It was established on August 21, 2016 by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), Treasury after reviewing the petition submitted by Colin Read, owner of North Star Vineyard, on behalf of the Lake Champlain Grape Growers Association proposing the viticultural area known as "Champlain Valley of New York."
The Champlain Valley of New York AVA covers approximately 500 square miles (320,000 acres) within the long, narrow Champlain Valley on the western shore of Lake Champlain that stretches 82.4 miles (132.6 km) on a north–south axis and is 19.8 miles (31.9 km) at its widest point on the U.S.-Canadian border. At the outset, the AVA had 11 commercial vineyards cultivating approximately 15.47 acres (6.26 ha) with 6 wineries. The petition stated there were an additional 63 acres (25 ha) of vineyards planned for planting within the AVA in the next few years. The distinguishing feature of the Champlain Valley of New York AVA is its short growing season, which is conducive to growing cold-hardy North American hybrid grape varieties, i.e., Frontenac, La Crescent, and Marquette, but not the vitis vinifera grapes that are grown in the surrounding areas. The AVA is not adjacent nor within any other appellation.
Within the basin of the Champlain Lowlands, Lake Champlain acts as a thermal reservoir. The soil composition features ancient bedrock and glacial deposits, making the ground fertile enough to grow grapes that can handle the cooler climate. Frontenac, La Crescent, La Crosse, and Marquette are the varieties that each play a role in the Champlain Valley AVA to produce wines with a unique regional flair.