American Viticultural Area

American Viticultural Area (AVA) is a designated wine grape-growing region in the United States distinguishable by geographic features, with boundaries defined by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), and the United States Department of the Treasury.

History

The concept of AVAs was established by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATF) in 1978 with the Augusta AVA in Missouri being the first recognized. The establishment of AVAs has allowed vintners to describe more accurately the origin of their wines to consumers and helps consumers to identify the wines they may purchase.

Criteria

To qualify as an AVA, a wine grape-growing region must be distinguishable by features such as climate, soil, elevation and physical features. The TTB defines AVAs at the request of wineries and other petitioners.

Impact

The establishment of an AVA allows vintners to describe more accurately the origin of their wines to consumers and helps consumers to identify wines they may purchase. AVAs are not indications of wine quality.

List of AVAs

There are over 200 AVAs in the United States, with the majority located in California. Some notable AVAs include Napa Valley AVA, Sonoma Valley AVA, Willamette Valley AVA, and Finger Lakes AVA.

See also

• Wine in the United States
• List of American Viticultural Areas
• Viticulture in the United States