Lake Michigan Shore
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Lake Michigan Shore is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in the oldest modern commercial grape region of the state. Located in the southwest of the state in the traditional "fruit belt", it is home to a majority of Michigan vineyards and half of the state wine grape production. Vineyards in the region date back to 1867. The AVA boundaries include the smaller Fennville AVA and extend as far as 45 miles inland from the lakeshore; however, the climate and glacial moraine soils are relatively similar throughout. The "Lake Effect" off of Lake Michigan tempers the northern climate. Lake Michigan Shore AVA has a warmer growing season, as much as two weeks longer than the only other Michigan AVAs, Leelanau Peninsula, and Old Mission Peninsula, both of which are in Northern Michigan.
