Have you heard of the Lake Erie AVA in the northeast part of the United States? Did you know that it is a historic wine-producing region that nobody really knows or talks about?
In fact, it is the largest AVA east of the Rocky Mountains. Its boundaries extend to parts of New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania, with over 40,000 acres planted to vineyards (see wine map).
Established in 1983, it is the only American AVA that spans multiple states. The total size is 3,495 square miles and over 40,000 acres of vineyards across three states. Growers here cultivate a diverse range of grape varieties, including native, hybrid and vinifera resulting in wines produced in a variety of styles.
As expected, the area features a cool continental climate with four seasons. Most of the Lake Erie AVA follows the Lake Erie shoreline of the Great Lake and also includes islands off the shore.
There are two sub-AVAs contained within it – Grand River Valley AVA and Isle St. George AVA. Lake Erie moderates the temperature by retaining heat into the fall season and extends the growing season allowing grapes to reach peak ripeness.
The ancient glacial soils of limestone and loam greatly help with water drainage. The winds coming off of Lake Erie is also a key to success here by circulating cool air in the vineyards and keeping them dry. This significantly reduces disease pressure limiting the need for spraying and vineyard management.
The climate moderation from the lake along with recent increasingly warm temperatures due to climate change means that growers are having success planting different varieties previously difficult to work with. Historically, native and hybrid grapes were mostly planted in the AVA, but more vinifera plantings have found to be thriving, such as Riesling, Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc.
Concord makes up about 40% of the wine production and for jams and jellies (Welch’s is a major producer in this region). Other varieties that are being produced include Lemberger aka Blaufrankisch, Teroldego (Italian vinifera), Seyval Blanc, Chambourcin and Baco Noir both (French American red hybrids).
Because of the range of grapes grown throughout this very large AVA, there is no one signature style. This allows producers to get creative and experiment. One of the lesser-known grape varieties being utilized in the region is Noiret, a black hybrid grape variety. Noiret (nwahr-AY) is often described as having a Syrah-like character with its inky-dark pigment, peppery notes, medium body and ability to age well.
Lake Erie has been planting grapes and producing wine since the early 1800s. Like all wine-producing regions in the United States, Prohibition had a devastating impact and like many regions, this region had a long uphill climb. The climate and conditions can be unpredictable. There are currently a little more than 20 wineries within the AVA.
(Image courtesy of Mazza Vineyards)
Mazza Family of Wine
One of the wine destinations I am spotlighting here is Mazza Vineyards, which includes South Shore Wine Company and Mazza Chautauqua Cellars/Five & 20 Spirits and Brewing, all within the Lake Erie AVA.
Robert Mazza, co-founder of Mazza Vineyards, for over fifty years has been growing the Mazza business originating in NW PA and the PA Wine industry as an ambassador since 1972. Mazza Vineyards, nestled along the shores of Lake Erie, is the Mazza family’s flagship location. The winery was founded and built in a rustic, Mediterranean style serving as tribute to the family’s Italian roots.
Drawing inspiration, experience, and technique from a lineage of international winemakers hailing from Germany, Portugal, Argentina, and beyond, their clean, experimental New World approach to winemaking has resulted in a fascinating wine list that ranges from crisp and pristine to robust and fruit-forward.
Here is a brief history lesson from Robert. He notes a few things helped put Pennsylvania on the map. The first was a change in regulations. Then came the awards.
“In 2024, the Decanter World Wine Awards, there were eighteen thousand wines submitted from fifty-seven countries. Only twenty gold medals were handed out. And we won for our Rosé. We produced it from a French American grape hybrid. It’s not purely European or American variety, which is unusual for a Rosé. This was the first time a Pennsylvania winery has ever won gold at the Decanter awards. It has put Pennsylvania back on the map.”
Today, Pennsylvania, is known primarily for its Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Riesling. A Mazza Vineyards, fresh juice from Pennsylvania grapes is in demand from winemakers across the country and the world. This brings joy to me because I was born and raised in PA. I’m proud of how far the PA wine industry has come even since I left to join the NY wine ranks in 2019. If you decide to visit the region, you have access to many awesome wineries in NYS as well.
Other locations within the Mazza family –
South Shore Wine Company is locally known for its historic stone cavern tasting room. Built in the 1860s in the style of traditional French wine caverns, the stone cellar is a unique (and Instagrammable!) setting for sipping some of our region’s most toast-worthy wines.
A robust selection of bubbly, made in traditional, contemporary, and experimental methods, pays homage to the region’s storied history of sparkling wines. Equally festive are a trio of delicately sweet bottles as well as a collection of lesser known, but entirely impressive emerging varietals.
Mazza Chautauqua Cellars might be their family’s third location in the Lake Erie AVA, but it’s the first of its kind in New York State. Sharing a home with our sister distillery and brewery, Five & 20 Spirits and Brewing, its signature patio space is an appropriately laid-back setting to enjoy the beverage of your choice.
The wine list here is an intentional curation of bottles that pay homage to the agricultural bounty that surrounds us, including refined European varietals and easy-sipping native varietals.
Lake Erie Wine Country is located about two hours north of Pittsburgh, and there are a dozen wineries around the city of North East, PA (often confusing because Erie is in the NW corner of the state).
Check out the wineries in the Lake Erie AVA and travel across 3 states. Many of them are open all-year round and have accommodations during the winter season. Just a little over 3 hours from Central NY.
To learn more about them, their wine portfolio, events, hours, and other exceptional wines, visit them at enjoymazza.com and Instagram @mazzawines. Below is info about their award-winning international rosé.
Do you like to learn about unique and unexplored wine regions and winery destinations? Keep following for more….
South Shore Wine Company “The Perfect Rosé”
Enchantingly dry, crisp, and refreshing, enjoy the award-winning The Perfect Rosé for a happily ever after(noon). Gently pressed Chambourcin grapes give this wine a hint of color, delicate berry flavors, and crisp acidity. which make for a refreshing rosé wine.
92 points / “Best Buy” – Wine Enthusiast
Featured in “The Best American Wines to Enjoy This Labor Day and Beyond” by Wine Enthusiast
93 points/Gold – BTI / NY Wine Classic
95 points/Gold – Decanter World Wine Awards 2024
90 points/Silver – Decanter World Wine Awards 2025
Featured in “US rosé to beat the summer heat” by Decanter
Best Rosé – 2023 PA Sommelier Judgment
Cheers,
Michael Nagy
michael.troy.nagy@gmail.com
717.877.2729