The AVA designation of Martha’s Vineyard (Island) proved to be quite controversial. Objections came from the proprietors of Martha's Vineyard vineyard, the much lauded Napa Valley source for some of California's most collectible and expensive Cabernet Sauvignons. The final ruling granting AVA status came down to historical precedence, with the island's nomenclature claim dating back to 1602. And, of course, Martha's Vineyard is internationally famous as a summer resort area popular with New Englanders. As a wine growing area, part of the broader S-E New England AVA, Martha’s Vineyard has natural conditions favorable to the native American varieties that are an established part of the natural ecology. With mixed results, vinifera varieties were introduced in 1971 for the purposes of commercial wine production. Despite its somewhat northern latitude, Martha’s Vineyard has a growing season which is almost 3 weeks longer than mainland areas of coastal New England. Surrounded by the warm autumn waters of Vineyard and Nantucket Sounds and the Atlantic Ocean, Martha’s Vineyard enjoys a prolonged ripening period late into the fall.