Pennsylvania — Lehigh Valley AVA

Commercial viticulture in the Lehigh Valley began in 1974 when both Vynecrest Winery and Clover Hill Winery started planting grapes. Two years later, in 1976, Franklin Hill Winery planted grapes in Bangor, Northampton County, establishing the region's multi-county viticultural foundation. Clover Hill became a licensed winery in September 1985, founded by John and Pat Skrip, who had begun planting grapes as a hobby in the early 1970s. Galen Glen Winery followed in 1995, when Galen and Sarah Troxell planted the first vines on Galen's family farm, which had been in the Troxell family for nearly two hundred years. The AVA designation in 2008 capped years of collaborative work led by John Skrip III, who assembled viticultural data on soils, growing degree days, and frost-free zones to make the formal case to the TTB.

• Commercial grape growing began in 1974 when Vynecrest Winery and Clover Hill Winery both started planting grapes; Franklin Hill followed in 1976 in Northampton County
• Clover Hill Vineyards and Winery formally opened September 1985, founded by John and Pat Skrip in Breinigsville, PA; now operates six vineyards spanning 80 acres in Berks and Lehigh counties
• Galen Glen Winery established 1995 by Galen and Sarah Troxell on a family farm of nearly 200 years; first wine produced in 1997; first Grüner Veltliner planted east of the Rocky Mountains in 2003
• AVA petition submitted by John Skrip III, chairman of the Lehigh Wine Trail Appellation Committee; designation granted March 10, 2008, by the TTB

The Lehigh Valley AVA occupies a long valley in southeastern Pennsylvania, bordered by Second Mountain to the north and a loose range known as South Mountain to the south. The viticultural area measures approximately 92 miles along its northern border and about 56 miles along its southern front, with the Delaware River forming the eastern boundary. Elevations generally range from 500 to 1,000 feet, promoting air drainage and frost protection, though a small section along the Blue Mountain foothills in the northeast reaches 1,600 feet. The region has a humid continental climate, classified Dfa-Dfb in higher elevations, with hardiness zones of 6b or 7a. Annual heat accumulation measures 2,601 to 3,000 growing degree days, and annual moisture surplus runs 13.8 to 17.7 inches during the growing season. The distinguishing soils are shale-and-sandstone on hillsides, with morning fog from the Delaware River and fractured bedrock delivering excellent drainage across the majority of planted sites.

• Long valley bounded by Second Mountain to the north and South Mountain to the south; Delaware River marks the eastern boundary; approximately 92 miles long on the northern border
• Elevations 500 to 1,000 feet throughout most of the AVA, with a northeastern section near Blue Mountain reaching 1,600 feet; air drainage limits frost damage
• Humid continental climate (Dfa-Dfb), USDA hardiness zones 6b-7a; 2,601 to 3,000 annual growing degree days; 13.8 to 17.7 inches moisture surplus during the growing season
• Soils: shale-and-sandstone on hillsides with fractured bedrock beneath; excellent drainage keeps vine vigor in check and concentrates fruit; 70 percent of total AVA acreage considered suitable for premium wine grapes

The Lehigh Valley AVA grows both Vitis vinifera and French-American hybrid varieties across its planted sites. Chambourcin is the most widely planted red grape, grown by nearly every winery in the AVA and dubbed 'the jewel of the Lehigh Valley.' It produces wines with berry and cherry notes, balanced tannins, and versatility across styles including dry, sparkling, and rosé. Riesling thrives in the steep pitches, rocky soils, and cool nights, producing styles that range from dry and mineral-driven to delicately off-dry. Galen Glen's pioneering 2003 planting of Grüner Veltliner, the first east of the Rocky Mountains, has helped establish that Austrian white as a regional signature. Additional varieties grown across the AVA include Vidal Blanc, Seyval Blanc, Cayuga White, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, and Pinot Noir, with site selection being particularly important for vinifera success.

• Chambourcin: French-American hybrid dubbed 'the jewel of the Lehigh Valley'; most widely planted red; berry, cherry, and spice notes; produced in dry, rosé, and sparkling styles
• Riesling: thrives on steep slopes and cool nights; comparable climate to Germany; produces mineral and citrus-driven dry styles through delicately off-dry expressions
• Grüner Veltliner: first planted east of the Rockies at Galen Glen in 2003; white pepper, citrus, and green fruit character; now a regional signature grown on fossil-rich shale soils
• Additional varieties: Vidal Blanc, Seyval Blanc, Cayuga White, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, and Pinot Noir; hybrid whites offer herbal and citrus profiles suited to the cool climate

As of 2024, the eleven licensed wineries within the AVA collectively comprise the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail. Vynecrest Winery in Breinigsville is among the region's oldest commercial producers, having started planting grapes in 1974. Clover Hill Vineyards and Winery, opened September 1985 by John and Pat Skrip, operates six vineyards spanning 80 acres in Berks and Lehigh counties and produces approximately 80,000 gallons of wine per year; following the passing of founder John Skrip Jr. in August 2020, the winery is now run by his children John Skrip III and Kari Skrip. Galen Glen Winery, founded by Galen and Sarah Troxell in Andreas, Schuylkill County, has earned international recognition for its aromatic white wines, particularly Grüner Veltliner and Riesling, and in 2022 became the first Pennsylvania winery to achieve multi-state distribution through a partnership with Skurnik Wines and Spirits. Other AVA members include Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars, Franklin Hill Vineyards, Pinnacle Ridge Winery, Weathered Vineyards, and Tolino Vineyards.

• Vynecrest Winery (grape planting 1974): one of the region's founding producers in Breinigsville; estate grown vinifera and French-American hybrid varieties
• Clover Hill Vineyards and Winery (est. September 1985): founded by John and Pat Skrip; six vineyards, 80 acres in Berks and Lehigh counties; 80,000 gallons per year; now run by second generation John Skrip III and Kari Skrip
• Galen Glen Winery (est. 1995): Troxell family farm of nearly 200 years in Andreas; first Grüner Veltliner east of the Rockies planted 2003; partnered with Skurnik Wines in 2022 for first Pennsylvania multi-state distribution
• Additional AVA members: Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars, Franklin Hill Vineyards, Pinnacle Ridge Winery, Weathered Vineyards, Tolino Vineyards, and others

As a federally designated American Viticultural Area, wines labeled 'Lehigh Valley' must contain a minimum of 85 percent grapes grown within the AVA boundaries. The appellation was established through TTB rulemaking after review of viticultural data including soil maps, growing degree day calculations, frost-free period analyses, and historical records of grape growing in the region. The AVA covers approximately 1,888 square miles across six Pennsylvania counties, and does not overlap any other viticultural area. Pennsylvania's five AVAs include Lake Erie (shared with New York and Ohio, established 1983), Cumberland Valley (shared with Maryland), Central Delaware Valley (shared with New Jersey), Lancaster Valley, and Lehigh Valley. Pennsylvania state law also enables farm winery operations with direct-to-consumer sales at the winery and through state-licensed retailers.

• Minimum 85 percent fruit sourcing from within AVA boundaries required for the Lehigh Valley appellation on the label; federal AVA standard
• AVA boundaries: 1.208 million acres (1,888 sq mi) across Lehigh, Northampton, Berks, Schuylkill, Carbon, and Monroe Counties; does not overlap any other viticultural area
• Pennsylvania has five AVAs: Lake Erie (est. October 20, 1983, first in the state), Cumberland Valley, Central Delaware Valley, Lancaster Valley, and Lehigh Valley (est. March 10, 2008)
• Climate data used to define the AVA: 2,601 to 3,000 annual growing degree days and 13.8 to 17.7 inches moisture surplus, per USDA and NRCS data collected 1961 to 1996

The Lehigh Valley Wine Trail links the AVA's licensed wineries through coordinated passport programs, seasonal events, and educational experiences. The region's location, approximately 45 miles north-northwest of Philadelphia and roughly 90 miles from New York City, makes it a practical weekend destination for Mid-Atlantic wine travelers. The city of Bethlehem, with its historic steel heritage and vibrant arts scene, anchors tourism in the broader valley. Galen Glen, situated in Carbon County near the town of Jim Thorpe, offers tasting room experiences with panoramic vineyard views. Clover Hill operates multiple retail and tasting locations across Berks and Lehigh counties. Visitors benefit from coordinated tasting weekends, vineyard tours, and educational programming organized across the trail's member wineries, which collectively span the valley from the Pennsylvania Slate Belt in the northeast to Berks County in the southwest.

• Lehigh Valley Wine Trail coordinates tasting events, passport programs, and educational seminars across all eleven licensed member wineries
• Positioned approximately 45 miles north-northwest of Philadelphia and roughly 90 miles from New York City; accessible weekend destination for Mid-Atlantic wine travelers
• Galen Glen (Andreas, Carbon County) and Clover Hill (multiple Berks and Lehigh county locations) among most visited tasting room destinations in the trail
• Regional attractions include Bethlehem's historic district, Jim Thorpe's Victorian architecture and Delaware River trails, and the scenic foothills of the Blue Mountain range