Wineducation - Meet the Niagara Escarpment

On hearing the word, “Niagara” you undoubtedly think of Niagara Falls and its thunderous roar.  Wine lovers may know Niagara because of the Canadian ice wines.  Most are unfamiliar the wine on the American side of the Niagara River that forms the boundary between Western New York and Ontario.  And the word, “Escarpment”? you might as well be speaking Greek.  The escarpment is the essence of Niagara.  It is the reason that there is a waterfall. It is the ledge from which the water cascades.  

An escarpment is a steep slope or cliff.  Often they are divided by faults or by water.  The Niagara Escarpment helped form the Great Lake Basin and runs through New York State, into Ontario, Canada before disappearing into Lake  Huron before reappearing near the Upper Peninsula of Michigan then into Wisconsin’s Door County Peninsula.  The rocks are hard dolomites with layers of softer limestones and shales intermixed.

The Niagara Escarpment appellation runs along the section of the area between the Niagara River near Lewiston and Johnson Creek near Middleport.  The elevations range from 400-600 feet above sea level with steep slopes and well-draining soils.  The cliffs face to the north, which is not normally associated with prime vineyard lands but ultimately helps moderate the climate by keeping warmer, moist air from Lakes Erie and Ontario in the vineyards.  Though bud breaks may be later due to cool spring temperatures, the warmth captured in the lakes helps extend the growing season.  Cool air rolls down the hills which prevents frost and the unequal erosion of the escarpment create microclimates within single vineyards.

The region has long been part of the fruit belt in the Great Lakes region.  Viticulture, at least for hobbyists has existed for 100 years while most grapes cultivated were destined for producers such as Welches.  As wine production restarted, initially hybrid grapes were produced but vinifera varieties are equally represented, particularly those fruit that thrive in cooler climates such as Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Riesling.