Isle St. George AVA

Established on September 20, 1982, this Ohio viticultural area was the first in the state. The island is the northernmost of the Bass Islands very near the Canadian border. Its 640 acres (approximately 350 of which are planted) take up the entire island, which is located in the western section of the lake erie ava. Although catawba has been grown here for over 100 years, today the most widely planted are vitis vinifera vines like cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, gewürztraminer, Pinot Grigio (pinot gris), pinot noir and riesling. Firelands Winery and Meier's Wine Cellars (the original petitioner for the island's ava status) receive most of the grape production.