Niagara Escarpment (NY) (AVA)
  Sign In
Subscribe to our newsletter
Bookmark and Share  


The Niagara Escarpment AVA is an American Viticultural Area in the New York state portion of the Niagara Escarpment. The area was officially recognized as an AVA on October 11th, 2005, by ruling of the United States Department of the Treasury Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau.[4] The oldest winery in the region dates to the 19th century (no longer in business), but the region's growth began in the late 1990s with the opening of the first winery.

There are now 12 wineries making up the Niagara Wine Trail. This wine region is less developed with more open spaces than the 70 or so Niagara Peninsula wineries on the Canadian side of the Niagara River, but shares the same terroir. the area “derives its name from the Niagara Escarpment, a limestone ridge that runs for more than 650 miles through the Great Lakes region. This limestone ridge forms one of the factors that nature has brought together to nurture grapevines. Lake Ontario to the north, the Niagara River to the west, and the Escarpment to the south all work together to protect the vines.

The escarpment holds the air warmed by the lakes waters and protects the land in the immediate area from drastic temperature changes. According to the application for the official designation as a viticultural area, the Niagara Escarpment’s “well drained soils, a steady but moderate water supply” in combination with the mineral content found in the soils, “result in superior pigment and flavor compounds in the resultant wine.”

Wines range from traditional varietals such as Merlot, Cabernets , Chardonnays and Rieslings to fruit wines.

Current Feature

In the southern Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina and Georgia vineyards are small and few, yet the establishment of the Upper Hiwassee Highlands could bring much more.  [>] continue


Appellation Features

[>] see all Niagara Escarpment (NY) features (1)

Related Features


 

Best of Appellation

See the best wines of Niagara Escarpment (NY)

See the best wines of
Niagara Escarpment (NY)

Alive & Well here


Cabernet Sauvignon: All hail the King! But a king doth not a gentleman make. A temperamental prince in youth, you’re  [>] continue

Quick Finds

Q: What are the most recognized grapes grown here?
Q: What wines are produced here?

The AppellationAmerica database identifies 31 wines labeled with the Niagara Escarpment (NY) designation.

[>] see the complete Niagara Escarpment (NY) Wine List.
Q: What wineries are based here ?
Q: What other wineries source fruit here ?
Q: What are the overlapping appellations ?

Appellation Honor Role

Search the Niagara Escarpment (NY) Wine List

 
select wine style:
select grape:
 

Advertisement



    Help us improve travel information to your favorite region...



Winery Sponsors

Winery sponsors of Appellation America’s coverage of the Niagara Escarpment (NY) appellation.