The Lake Wisconsin AVA is located in southwestern Wisconsin, a bit north of the city of Madison. This is a cold climate with brutal winters; this hybrid grapes, such as Marechal Foch and La Crosse are the leading varieties of this zone. While the entire AVA is more than 20,000 acres in size, only 20 acres are planted; most vineyards are situated between 800 to 900 feet above sea level. An interesting footnote to this zone is that the first grapevines were planted here in the 1840s by Agoston Haraszthy, who would go on to great fame with similar work in California. (Wine/Appellations)