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Presque Isle Wine Cellars shares with nearby Penn Shore Vineyards the distinction of being the first wineries to obtain Pennsylvania winery licenses following enactment of the Limited Winery (Farm Winery) Act in 1968. We and others began research on the practicality of restarting a wine industry in the state, which had begun in the 1820’s , but which had died out because of disease problems and the rise of Prohibition sentiment. A legislative effort was begun in 1968 and because of very fortuitous circumstances a Farm Winery Bill was passed in that same year. The Pennsylvania industry has grown to 173 licensees as of June 2010 with at least 125 of them reporting sales. We introduced the growing of Vitis vinifera (European) grapes to the Lake Erie Region in the late 1950’s and we participated in the successful effort to establish the LAKE ERIE American Viticultural Appellation in the early 1980’s. The Lake Erie Viticultural Appellation was the first multi state Appellation to be approved and covers the region along the south shore of the lake from Toledo, Ohio to Buffalo, NY on lands affected climatically by Lake Erie. Virtually every existing vineyard lies in the narrow band below the first ridge south of the lake which is known locally by the French term 'escarpment'. This arrangement provides a microclimate where the mass of lake water holds heat from the summer and provides warm breezes to delay typical first frost into November and conversely the lake moderates winter low temperatures but keeps the area cooler into the spring, delaying first budding until past the typical last frost date. The steep terrain below the escarpment also provides good cold air drainage. This is a similar situation to that of the Finger Lakes Region of New York. In Erie County, where we are located, the escarpment lies closer to the Lake and is at its highest elevation of about 1500 ft which is a rise of over 900 ft from the average Lake Erie elevation of 573 ft. As one goes either east or west the elevation of the escarpment is lower and farther from the lake and the frost free season is shorter and winter minimums can be lower. The only other portion of the Appellation with as long a growing season is the Lake Erie Islands (North Bass, Middle Bass, Kelley's). We have the greatest concentration of vineyards (acres per square mile) in the country after the Central Valley of California, albeit a long way below that region in quantity, since California produces over 90% of the wine produced in the US. We have a 194 day average frost free season, and in the majority of winters don’t have sub zero temperatures. We are relatively cool with average temperatures of 71oF in July and August. We have fewer problems with some of the fungus diseases because of the almost continuous winds off the Lake. White wines greatly outnumber reds in the region. Good ripeness can be reached by avoiding overcropping and pH levels are low which is a real plus in regard to longevity of the wines. Acidity can be high in poorer years (translation—less sunlight, more rain and colder weather). Most wines show good varietal fruit character and have fairly light tannins. Chardonnay, Riesling, Gewurztraminer and hybrids like Vidal and Vignoles are whites than generally show well in the region as do Blaufrankisch (Lemberger), Dornfelder, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and hybrids Noiret (NY 73) and Chambourcin as reds. Regionally such native grapes as Catawba, Niagara, Steuben and Delaware are used for whites and Fredonia and Concord for reds, which are usually sweet and very grapy.
Presque Isle Wine Cellars offers a variety of red and white, dry and sweet wines. We also have many award winning wines. Our wines are available for purchase from our tasting room at the winery, at PLCB State Stores, at Country Wines in Pittsburgh, PA, and at several restaurants. We are also able to ship orders within Pennsylvania and to the following states: ALASKA FLORIDA IDAHO LOUISIANA MISSOURI NEBRASKA NEW HAMPSHIRE NEW MEXICO NEVADA NORTH DAKOTA OHIO OREGON VIRGINIA DISTRICT of COLUMBIA WEST VIRGINIA WYOMING We are hoping to expand the states to which we can ship. Please call or e-mail us if you would like more information about having wine shipped to you. Adult signature (21yrs or older) is required to receive all shipped orders. To view information on our wines, please read the following “Underage Warning Statement” and click on the link if you wish to proceed: WARNING! Minors providing false information when obtaining alcoholic beverages over the internet will face criminal prosecution and civil liability. Violators may be charged federally with wire and credit card fraud, and under multiple state laws prohibiting the attempted purchase or possession of alcohol by minors. Penalties include monetary fines, jail time, criminal probation, loss of driver’s license and a criminal record that must be disclosed on job and college applications. Licensed sellers of alcohol (including wineries and retailers) who pay large fines and lose alcohol license privileges for sales to minors are entitled to sue the minor for compensation. All internet customers must provide a credit card number and delivery address and can therefore be POSITIVELY identified to law enforcement. IF YOU ARE UNDER 21 – DON’T RISK YOUR FUTURE! “Underage Website Warning Statement” – By clicking on the ENTER WINE CATALOG link below I affirm that I am 21 years of age or older and have read the above statement and may legally enter the WINE SALES WEB SITE AREA . |