Lake Wisconsin AVA

Lake Wisconsin AVA ( recognized since February 4, 1994) is an American Viticultural Area in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The area lies in the southern part of the state. The wine region extends along the Lake Wisconsin and the Wisconsin River in Prairie du Sac, about 40 km northwest of Madison.

The first vineyards were created in 1847 by Agoston Haraszthy before he emigrated to California (→ Viticulture in California). The vineyards are situated at an altitude of 240 to 270 m. The soil is sandy loam and gravel deposited fluvioglazial.

Winters in the region are extremely strict. This affects the choice of grape varieties, in which French hybrid vines ( Léon Millet or Maréchal Foch ) and come from Elmer Swenson especially for this climate gezüchte new breeds used.