The climate in Pennsylvania is mild compared to surrounding states, with the moderating effects of Lake Erie to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Wineries are located in all parts of the state, including five designated American Viticultural Areas. Pennsylvania is one of the 10-largest wine producing state in the country. The commercial wine industry had important roots in Pennsylvania. Around 1740, the first hybrid of vitis vinifera European grapes and vitis labrusca North American grapes was discovered near Philadelphia. In 1786, Frenchman Pierre ‘Peter’ Legaux founded the Pennsylvania Vine Company, also just outside of Philadelphia, which would become the nation’s first commercial vineyard.

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