|
Understanding
Wine Labels (Supplement)
American
Viticultural Areas
Listed below (in Italics) are 180 separate American
Viticultural Areas approved
by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB)
as of March, 2007, as well as some that are proposed and pending. If
the
AVA has established an association, organization, or marketing group,
it is linked. The TTB web site has an Appellations
of Origin page, but they are very slow in posting the latest
information.
California accounts for more than
90% of all wine produced in the US and the clear majority of winegrowing
appellations. Individual AVAs are listed in the left column, grouped
by their general geographic area (not "official"), then
by County with regional AVAs defined as they encompass portions
or all of these political boundaries. The remainder of the AVAs
are listed in the right column, alphabetically by state.
 =
Newly Approved AVA. Where known, numbers following the listings
indicate the total acres included1.
Federal
Regulations define the area and characteristics of each area.
AVAs which overlap county or state boundaries are indicated by
notation within the brackets immediately following the defined AVA (italics).
Smaller AVAs are grouped and nested under larger ones that encompass
them. For additional information, please see Related
Links at the bottom of the
page.
| California (103)
North Coast
|
AVA |
DATE |
ACRES
|
| North Coast
(Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino, Lake, Marin, Solano)
|
Oct, 1983
|
3,240,108 |
NAPA COUNTY
(16)
| Atlas Peak |
Feb, 1992
|
12,267 |
| Calistoga |
(proposed)
|
(unknown)
|
| Chiles Valley |
Apr, 1999
|
6,000 |
| Diamond Mountain |
July, 2001
|
5,000 |
| Howell Mountain |
Jan, 1984
|
13.061 |
| Los Carneros (Sonoma) |
Sep, 1987
|
37,061 |
| Mt. Veeder |
Mar, 1990
|
16,851 |
| Napa Valley |
Jan, 1983
|
225,280 |
| Oak Knoll District |
Apr, 2004
|
8,300 |
| Oakville |
Aug, 1983
|
6,768 |
| Rutherford |
Aug, 1983
|
6,650 |
| St. Helena |
Oct, 1995
|
9,257 |
| Spring Mountain District |
June, 1993
|
8,467 |
| Stags Leap District |
Feb, 1989
|
3,042 |
| Wild Horse Valley
(Solano) |
Dec,
1988 |
3,941 |
| Yountville |
May, 1999
|
8,260 |
SONOMA COUNTY
(14)
|
AVA
|
DATE
|
ACRES
|
| Alexander Valley |
June, 1988
|
32,536 |
| Alexander Mountain |
(proposed) |
(unknown)
|
| Bennett Valley |
Dec, 2003
|
8,140 |
| Chalk Hill |
June, 1988
|
22,921 |
| Dry Creek Valley |
Sep, 1983
|
78,387 |
| Green Valley of
Russian River Valley |
Dec,
1983 /
Apr, 2007 |
|
| Knights Valley |
Nov, 1983
|
37,083 |
| Los Carneros
(Napa) |
Sep, 1987
|
37,061 |
| Northern Sonoma |
Sep, 1986 |
349,837 |
| Rockpile |
Apr, 2002
|
15,400 |
| Russian River Valley |
Nov, 1983
|
126,600 |
| Sonoma Coast
(Marin) |
July, 1987
|
516,409 |
| Sonoma Mountain |
Feb, 1985
|
5,757 |
| Sonoma Valley |
Jan, 1982
|
115,109 |
MENDOCINO COUNTY
(9)
|
AVA
|
DATE
|
ACRES
|
| Anderson Valley |
Sep,
1983 |
58,532 |
| Cole Ranch |
May, 1983
|
187 |
| Dos Rios |
Nov,
2005 |
15,500 |
| McDowell Valley |
Feb, 1987
|
2,225 |
| Mendocino |
July, 1984
|
327,430 |
| Mendocino Ridge |
Dec, 1997
|
87,466 |
| Potter Valley |
Nov, 1983
|
28,805 |
| Redwood Valley
|
Feb, 1997
|
32,046 |
| Yorkville Highlands |
June, 1998
|
40,000 |
LAKE COUNTY
(5)
| Benmore Valley |
Nov, 1991
|
1,440 |
| Clear Lake |
June, 1984
|
217,328 |
| Guenoc Valley |
Dec, 1981
|
4,395 |
| High Valley |
Aug, 2005
|
14,000 |
| Red Hills-California |
Aug, 2004
|
31,250 |
SOLANO COUNTY
(3)
| Solano County Green
Valley |
Jan, 1983
|
17,009 |
| Suisun Valley |
Dec,
1982 |
19,131 |
| Wild Horse Valley
(Napa) |
Dec, 1988
|
3,941 |
HUMBOLDT
| Willow Creek |
Sep, 1983
|
7,582 |
TRINITY COUNTY
(2)
| Trinity Lakes |
(proposed) |
96,000 |
| Willow Creek |
Sep, 1983
|
7,582 |
TOP
California - Central Coast Area (2)
|
AVA
|
DATE
|
ACRES
|
| Central Coast
(Alameda, Contra
Costa, Monterey, San Benito, San Francisco, San Luis Obispo,
San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa
Cruz) |
Nov, 1985
|
5,463,269 |
| San Francisco Bay
(Alameda, Contra
Costa, San Francisco, San Mateo,
Santa Clara) |
Mar, 1999
|
1,566,713 |
ALAMEDA COUNTY
MONTEREY COUNTY
(9)
| Arroyo Seco |
May, 1983
|
32,779 |
| Carmel Valley |
Jan, 1983
|
17,831 |
| Chalone |
July, 1982
|
8,671 |
| Hames Valley |
Apr, 1994
|
12,297 |
| Monterey |
July, 1984
|
597,624 |
|
San Antonio Valley |
June,
2006 |
(unknown) |
| San Bernabe |
Aug,
2004 |
24,796 |
| San Lucas |
Mar, 1987 |
35,362 |
| Santa Lucia Highlands |
June, 1992
|
20,708 |
SAN BENITO COUNTY
(5)
|
AVA
|
DATE
|
ACRES
|
| Cienega Valley |
Sep, 1982
|
7,080 |
| Lime Kiln Valley |
July, 1982
|
2,297 |
| Mt. Harlan |
Dec, 1990
|
7,778 |
| Paicines |
Sep. 1982
|
18,881 |
| San Benito |
Nov, 1987
|
46,634 |
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY
(4)
| Arroyo Grande Valley |
Feb, 1990
|
38,916 |
| Edna Valley |
June, 1987
|
28,858 |
| Paso Robles |
Nov, 1983
|
609,662 |
| York Mountain |
Feb, 1987
|
6,349 |
Under consideration
within the large Paso Robles AVA are Adelaida
District, San Miguel, and Santa Margarita Ranch.
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY
(4)
| Santa Maria Bench |
(proposed)
|
3,200 |
| Santa Maria Valley |
Sep, 1981
|
97,480 |
| Sta. Rita Hills |
May,
2001
|
30,720 |
| Santa Ynez Valley |
May, 1983
|
181,603 |
SANTA CLARA COUNTY
(3)
| Pacheco Pass |
Apr, 1984
|
2,702 |
| Santa Clara Valley |
Apr, 1989
|
317,342 |
| San Ysidro District
|
Dec, 1990
|
2,539 |
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
(2)
|
AVA
|
DATE
|
ACRES
|
| Ben Lomond Mountain |
Jan, 1988
|
38,400 |
| Santa Cruz Mountains |
Jan, 1982
|
408,467 |
California - Southern Area
| South Coast |
Dec, 1985
|
2,141,514 |
LOS ANGELES COUNTY
| Malibu-Newton Canyon |
June, 1996
|
957 |
RIVERSIDE & SAN BERNARDINO
(2)
| Cucamonga Valley |
May,
1995 |
109,400 |
| Temecula |
Feb, 1986
|
90,249 |
SAN DIEGO COUNTY
(2)
| Ramona Valley |
Jan,
2006 |
89,000 |
| San Pasqual Valley
|
Sep, 1981
|
9,205 |
California - Inland, Delta & Foothills
|
AVA
|
DATE
|
ACRES
|
| Sierra Foothills
(Yuba, Nevada, Placer, El Dorado,
Amador, Calaveras, Tuolumne, Mariposa) |
Dec, 1987
|
2,654,179 |
EL DORADO COUNTY
(3)
| California Shenandoah
Valley (Amador) |
Feb, 1987
|
13,652 |
| El Dorado |
Nov, 1983
|
410,115 |
| Fair Play |
Apr, 2001
|
21,120 |
AMADOR COUNTY
(2)
| California Shenandoah
Valley (El Dorado) |
Feb, 1987
|
13,652 |
| Fiddletown |
Nov, 1983
|
12,069 |
YUBA COUNTY
| North Yuba |
Aug, 1985
|
20,994 |
YOLO COUNTY
(4)
| Capay Valley |
Apr,
2003 |
102,400 |
| Clarksburg |
Feb, 1984
|
68,101 |
| Dunnigan Hills |
June, 1993
|
69,354 |
| Merritt Island |
Feb, 1987
|
5,264 |
MADERA COUNTY
SACRAMENTO
|
AVA
|
DATE
|
ACRES
|
| Lodi
(San Joaquin) |
Mar, 1986
|
445,320 |
SAN JOAQUIN
(3)
Lodi
(Sacramento)
Proposed Sub-appellations
include Jahant District, Mokelumne River, Clements
Hills, Borden Ranch, Cosumnes River, Alta Mesa and
Deer Creek Hills |
Mar, 1986
|
445,320 |
| River Junction |
July,
2001 |
1,300 |
| Tracy Hills |
(proposed)
|
39,200 |
SISKIYOU COUNTY
| Seiad Valley |
June, 1994
|
2,203 |
STANISLAUS COUNTY
(2)
| Diablo Grande |
Aug,
1998 |
30,000 |
| Salado Creek |
Aug,
2004 |
2,940 |
|
Arizona
|
AVA |
DATE |
ACRES
|
| Sonoita |
Nov, 1984
|
208,000 |
Arkansas
(3)
| Altus |
June, 1984
|
12800
|
| Arkansas Mountain |
Oct,
1986 |
2,880,000 |
| Ozark Mountain
(MO &
OK) |
Aug,
1986 |
3.520.000 |
Colorado
(2)
| Grand Valley |
Dec, 2001
|
32,000 |
| West Elks |
May, 2001
|
48,000 |
Connecticut
(2)
|
AVA
|
DATE
|
ACRES
|
| Southeastern New
England (RI &
MA)
|
Apr, 1984
|
1,875,200 |
| Western Connecticut
Highlands |
Mar, 1988
|
1,004,550 |
Idaho
Snake
River Valley
|
Mar, 2007
|
5,270,000 |
Indiana
| Ohio River Valley
(KY, OH & WV) |
Nov, 1983
|
2,236,800 |
Kentucky
| Ohio River Valley
(IN, OH & WV) |
Nov, 1983
|
2,236,800 |
Louisiana
| Mississippi Delta
(MS
& TN) |
Oct, 1984
|
3,840,000 |
Maryland
(3)
| Catoctin |
Feb, 1987 |
170,000 |
| Cumberland Valley
(PA) |
Aug, 1985
|
765,000 |
| Linganore |
Sep, 1983
|
57,600 |
Massachusetts
(2)
|
AVA
|
DATE
|
ACRES
|
| Martha's Vineyard |
Feb, 1985
|
64,000 |
| Southeastern New
England (RI
& CT) |
Apr, 1984
|
1,875,200 |
TOP
Michigan
(4)
| Fennville |
Oct, 1981
|
75,000 |
| Lake Michigan Shore |
Nov, 1983
|
1,280,000 |
| Leelanau Peninsula |
Apr, 1982 |
211,200 |
| Old
Mission Peninsula |
July, 1987
|
19,200 |
Minnesota
| Alexandria Lakes |
Aug, 2005
|
10,880 |
Mississippi
| Mississippi Delta
(LA
& TN) |
Oct, 1984
|
3,840,000 |
Missouri
(4)
| Augusta |
Jun, 1980
|
(unknown) |
| Hermann |
Feb, 1987
|
51,200 |
| Ozark Mountain
(OK & AR) |
Aug, 1986
|
3,520,000 |
| Ozark Highlands |
Sep, 1984
|
1,280,000 |
New Jersey
(3)
|
AVA
|
DATE
|
ACRES
|
| Central Delaware
Valley (PA) |
Feb, 1987
|
96,000 |
|
Outer Coastal
Plain |
Apr,
2007 |
2,250,000 |
| Warren Hills |
Sep, 1988
|
144,640 |
New Mexico
(3)
| Mesilla Valley
(TX) |
Mar, 1985
|
284,800 |
| Middle Rio Grande
Valley |
Mar, 1988
|
278,400 |
| Mimbres Valley |
Dec, 1985
|
636,800 |
New York
(8)
| Cayuga Lake |
Apr, 1986
|
460 |
| Finger Lakes |
Feb, 1987
|
8,400 |
| Hudson River Region |
July, 1982
|
224,000 |
| Lake Erie
(PA & OH) |
Nov, 1983
|
2,236,800 |
| Long Island |
July, 2001
|
749,146 |
| Niagara Escarpment |
Oct,
2005 |
18,000 |
| North Fork of Long
Island |
Nov, 1986
|
101,440 |
| Seneca Lake |
Sep, 2003
|
204,600 |
| The Hamptons, Long
Island |
June, 1985
|
136,448 |
North Carolina
|
AVA
|
DATE
|
ACRES
|
| Yadkin Valley |
Feb,
2003 |
1,231,000 |
Ohio
(6)
| Grand River Valley |
Nov, 1983
|
125,000 |
| Isle St. George
|
Sep, 1982
|
640 |
| Kanawha River Valley
(WV) |
May, 1986
|
64,000 |
| Lake Erie
(NY & PA) |
Nov, 1983
|
2,236,800 |
| Loramie Creek |
Dec, 1982
|
3,600 |
| Ohio River Valley
(IN, KY & WV) |
Nov, 1983
|
2,236,800 |
TOP
Oklahoma
(2)
|
AVA
|
DATE
|
ACRES
|
| Grand Lake O' the
Cherokees |
(proposed)
|
(unknown)
|
| Ozark Mountain
(MO & AR) |
Aug, 1986
|
3,520,000 |
Oregon
(13)
| Applegate Valley
|
Dec, 2001
|
(unknown) |
| Columbia Gorge
(WA) |
May,
2004 |
179,200 |
| Columbia Valley
(WA) |
Feb, 1987
|
1,152,000 |
| Red Hill Douglas
County |
Oct,
2005 |
5,500 |
| Rogue Valley
|
Feb, 1991
|
(unknown) |
| Umpqua Valley
|
Apr, 1984
|
768,000 |
| Walla Walla Valley
(WA) |
Feb, 1987
|
178,560 |
WILLAMETTE VALLEY
(6)
|
AVA
|
DATE
|
ACRES
|
| Chehalem Mountains |
Jan,
2007 |
(1,600) |
| Dundee Hills |
Jan,
2005 |
6,490 |
| McMinnville Foothills |
Mar,
2005 |
40,450 |
| Ribbon Ridge |
Jul,
2005 |
3,350 |
| Willamette Valley |
Jan,
1984 |
3,300,000 |
| Yamhill-Carlton District |
Feb,
2005 |
8,500 |
An
AVA is under consideration for Eola
Hills.
Pennsylvania
(4)
| Central Delaware
Valley (NJ) |
Feb, 1987
|
96,000 |
| Cumberland Valley
(MD) |
May, 2001
|
765,000 |
| Lake Erie
(NY & OH) |
Nov, 1983 |
2,236,800 |
| Lancaster Valley |
Jun,
1982
|
225,000 |
Rhode Island
| Southeastern New
England (MA & CT) |
Apr, 1984
|
1,875,200 |
Tennessee
| Mississippi Delta
(MS &
LA) |
Oct, 1984
|
3,840,000 |
Texas
(8)
|
AVA
|
DATE
|
ACRES
|
| Bell Mountain |
Nov, 1986
|
3,200 |
| Escondido Valley |
June, 1992
|
32,000 |
| Fredericksburg in
the Texas Hill Country |
Jan, 1989
|
70,400 |
| Mesilla Valley (NM) |
Mar, 1985
|
284,800 |
| Texoma |
Jan,
2006 |
2,300,000 |
| Texas Davis Mountains |
May, 1998
|
270,000 |
| Texas High Plains |
Apr, 1993
|
2,000 |
| Texas Hill Country |
Dec, 1991
|
9,600,000 |
TOP
Virginia
(6)
| Monticello |
Feb, 1984
|
200,000 |
| North Fork of Roanoke |
Feb, 1987
|
(unknown) |
Northern Neck
George Washington Birthplace |
May, 1987
|
590,080 |
| Rocky Knob |
Feb, 1987
|
9,000 |
| Shenandoah Valley
(WV)
|
Feb, 1987
|
2,400,000 |
| Virginia's Eastern
Shore |
Feb, 1991
|
436,480
|
Washington
(9)
| Columbia Gorge
(OR) |
May,
2004 |
179,200 |
| Columbia Valley
(OR) |
Feb, 1987
|
1,152,000 |
| Horse Heaven Hills |
Aug,
2005 |
570,000 |
| Puget Sound |
Oct, 1995
|
5,536,000 |
| Rattlesnake
Hills |
Mar,
2006 |
68,500 |
| Red Mountain |
June, 2001
|
4,040 |
| Wahluke Slope |
Jan,
2006 |
81,000 |
| Walla Walla Valley
(OR) |
Feb, 1987
|
178,560 |
| Yakima Valley |
Oct, 1995
|
665,600 |
West Virginia
(3)
| Ohio River Valley
(IN, KY & OH) |
Feb, 1987
|
16,640,000 |
| Kanawha River Valley
(OH) |
May,
1986 |
64,000 |
| Shenandoah Valley
(VA) |
Feb, 1987
|
2,400,000 |
Wisconsin
| Lake Wisconsin |
Feb, 1994
|
28,000 |
TOP |
NOTES
1 - Because the reference
sources used disagree widely, acreage figures are merely estimates
and should not be relied upon. Please verify and cross-reference if
you are using this information for any purpose other than entertainment.
BACK
RELATED LINKS
Appellation
America promotes conciousness and understanding of the distinct
winegrowing regions of North America. It includes detailed information
on all AVAs, as well as varietals grown, maps, and associated resident
and non-resident wineries and wines. HIGHLY
RECOMMENDED
Complete descriptions
of the geographic and topographic characteristics, the climatic influences
and predominant grape varieties planted for most of these AVAs can
be found on the Connoisseurs'
Guide to California Wine site.
The Wine Institute
offers some online pages to answer "what, where, how and why" questions
about American
Viticultural Areas and provide more detailed information regarding
the effects on labeling regulations and restrictions.
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