Fennville AVA
| Wine region | |
Michigan AVAs | |
| Type | American Viticultural Area |
|---|---|
| Year established | 1981 |
| Years of wine industry | 146 |
| Country | United States |
| Part of | Michigan, Lake Michigan Shore AVA |
| Growing season | 155 to 175 days |
| Climate region | Region Ia-IIb |
| Heat units | 1057–2743 GDD |
| Soil conditions | Sandy loam |
| Total area | 75,000 acres (117 sq mi) |
| Size of planted vineyards | 500 acres (200 ha) |
| No. of vineyards | 5 |
| Grapes produced | Aurora, Baco Noir, Cascade, Chelois, Cabernet Franc, Chardonel, Chancellor, Chambourcin, Maréchal Foch, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Primitivo, Seyval, Riesling, Vignoles, Vidal Blanc |
| No. of wineries | 6 |
Fennville is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in Allegan County, with a small portion in Van Buren County in southwestern Michigan. The wine appellation was established as the nation's fourth and Michigan's initial AVA on September 18, 1981, by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury after reviewing the petition submitted by William Welsch, President of Fenn Valley Vineyards, on behalf of local vintners, proposing the viticultural area to be named "Fennville."
The boundaries of the viticultural area, using landmarks and points of reference are as follows: starting at the most southwestern point, the intersection of the Black River as it empties into Lake Michigan at the city of South Haven; northward along the eastern shore of Lake Michigan approximately 20 miles (32 km) to the intersection of the Kalamazoo River;, easterly along the course of the Kalamazoo River for approximately 11.25 miles (18.11 km), seven miles (11 km) due east to 86°5' west longitude which is 1.25 miles (2.01 km) east of the community of New Richmond; south along 86°5' west longitude for 13.5 miles (21.7 km) to the intersection of the Middle Fork of the Black River;, westerly along the course of the twisting Middle Fork of the Black River until it joins the Black River, continuing west for a total of 12.5 miles (20.1 km) (10 miles (16 km) due west) to the starting point. It lies within the region specifically been known by two names, "Fruit Belt" and "Lake Michigan Shore", while also generally referred to as "Southwestern Michigan" or "Western Counties".
The soil in the Fennville area is different from surrounding areas, primarily glacial sandy soils. The area's climate is moderated by the nearby Lake Michigan, and few days in the summer growing season exceed 90 °F (32 °C). Grape growers in the area have had success with both Vitis vinifera and Vitis labrusca wine grapes. The hardiness zone range is 6a to 7a. In 1983, Fennville viticultural area became a sub-appellation encompassed within the 1.28-million-acre (0.52×106 ha) Lake Michigan Shore.