Legend has it that state (OK, technically it was just a province back then) founder William Penn planted the first vinifera vines on his property in the 1680s. While others continued to produce wine, it was mostly for personal consumption. In the 1790s, the state’s first commercial vineyard, Pennsylvania Vine Company, was established by French entrepreneur Peter Legaux. But European varietals never grew successfully in the Northeast during this time, susceptible to uncontrollable disease and rot. The Prohibition and Depression didn’t help. Finally, in 1968, the Pennsylvania Limited Winery Act was enacted to encourage wine-making.
However, the quality of those early wines, produced from local labrusca such as Cayuga, Niagara, and Concord, could never rival quality California wines. Demand for European varietals and modern innovations in horticulture have inspired growing more popular grapes. Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc in particular fare well in Pennsylvania&rsquo
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Legend has it that state (OK, technically it was just a province back then) founder William Penn planted the first vinifera vines on his property in the 1680s. While others continued to produce wine, it was mostly for personal consumption. In the 1790s, the state’s first commercial vineyard, Pennsylvania Vine Company, was established by French entrepreneur Peter Legaux. But European varietals never grew successfully in the Northeast during this time, susceptible to uncontrollable disease and rot. The Prohibition and Depression didn’t help. Finally, in 1968, the Pennsylvania Limited Winery Act was enacted to encourage wine-making.
However, the quality of those early wines, produced from local labrusca such as Cayuga, Niagara, and Concord, could never rival quality California wines. Demand for European varietals and modern innovations in horticulture have inspired growing more popular grapes. Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc in particular fare well in Pennsylvania’s cooler, more humid climate. Determined wine-makers have continued to work at growing European grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Riesling, and Viognier. Other producers still stand by native grapes.
In 2003, the Pennsylvania Premium Wine Group was formed to foster consumer confidence and promote the wines. Vinifera only wines, produced from grapes grown 100% within Pennsylvania are tasted by a panel in order to be given the Pennsylvania Quality Assurance (PQA) seal. The number of wineries which have earned this seal has continued to grow.
Pennsylvania has five AVAs, three of which are shared with neighboring states:
*Central Delaware Valley - shared with New Jersey
*Cumberland Valley - shared with Maryland
*Lake Erie - shared with New York and Ohio
*Lancaster Valley
*Lehigh Valley
– Description from
Amanda Schuster
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