Alexandria Lakes AVA
| Wine region | |
| Type | American Viticultural Area |
|---|---|
| Year established | 2005 |
| Country | United States |
| Part of | Minnesota |
| Other regions in Minnesota | Upper Mississippi River Valley AVA |
| Growing season | 148 days |
| Climate region | Region Ib |
| Heat units | 2438.5 GDD |
| Precipitation (annual average) | 23.65 in (601 mm) snow: 47.67 in (121.1 cm) |
| Soil conditions | Nebish-Beltrami association, sand or sand and gravel outwash material |
| Total area | 10,880 acres (17 sq mi) |
| No. of vineyards | 1 |
| Grapes produced | Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Fox, Frontenac, Frontenac Gris, Itasca, La Crescent, Malbec, Marquette, Merlot, Petite Verdot, Shiraz, Traminette and Zinfandel |
| No. of wineries | 1 |
Alexandria Lakes is Minnesota's initial American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in Douglas County, north of the city of Alexandria, and about 140 miles (230 km) northwest of Minneapolis on Interstate 94. The wine appellation was established as the nation's 178th AVA on July 1, 2005, by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), Treasury after reviewing the petition submitted by Robert G. Johnson, owner of Carlos Creek Winery, proposing a viticultural area named "Alexandria Lakes."
The appellation encompasses approximately 10,880 acres (17 sq mi) and is surrounded by six freshwater lakes and some of the deepest in the state. Lake Miltona, which is the largest lake in Douglas County, lies to the north. Lake Carlos, the largest lake in the Alexandria Lakes chain, according to the Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, lies to the east. Two small lakes, Lakes Louise and Alvin, and a medium-size lake, Lake Darling, are just south of the viticultural area boundary. Lake Ida, one of the largest lakes in the area, lies to the west. The plant hardiness zone is 4a and 4b.