Country United States Climate region Continental/maritime Year established 1984 | Area 7,589 km² | |
Total area 1,875,200 acres (758,867 ha) | ||
The Southeastern New England AVA is an American Viticultural Area that includes portions of thirteen counties in three New England states: Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. The boundaries of the wine appellation include parts of New Haven, New London, and Middlesex counties in Connecticut; Bristol, Newport, Providence, and Washington counties in Rhode Island; and Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, Nantucket, Norfolk, and Plymouth counties in Massachusetts. The area stretches from just south of Boston, Massachusetts in the east to New London, Connecticut in the west, and includes all of the coastal islands and coastal plain within 15 miles (24 km) of Long Island Sound, Cape Cod, or Massachusetts Bay.
The climate in the area is heavily influenced by the nearby presence of the oceanic waters, which moderate the range of temperatures in the vineyards. Most vintners in the area have had the best success with cold-climate Vitis vinifera and French hybrid grape varietals. The region is located in hardiness zones 7a and 6b, with very small areas with an oceanic climate in 7b.