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Understanding Wine Labels (Supplement)
American Viticultural Areas
Listed below (in Italics) are 193 separate American Viticultural Areas approved by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) as of Jan, 2010, as well as some that are proposed and pending. Any association, organization, or marketing group for an AVA may be linked. The TTB web site has an Appellations of Origin page, but they're quite slow posting the latest information.

California accounts for more than 90% of all wine produced in the US and also the majority of winegrowing appellations. Individual AVAs are listed in the left column, grouped by general geographic area, then County. The remainder of the AVAs are listed in the right column, alphabetically by state. Regional AVAs that encompass portions of or entire states or counties are indicated by an asterisk within the parentheses naming the specifically included political boundaries. Note again that the actual AVAs are Italicized, whereas Political Boundaries are not.

= 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) is #1 by volume and produces over 90% of all American wine North Coast (*1 shared) AVA DATE ACRES North Coast (*Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino, Lake, Marin, Solano)   Oct, 1983 3,240,108 NAPA COUNTY (14 + *2 shared) Atlas Peak Feb, 1992 12,267 Calistoga Jan, 2010 ~=13,000 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, 1981 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 (11 + *2 shared + 2 proposed) 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 19,010 Knights Valley Nov, 1983 37,083 Los Carneros (*Napa) Sep, 1987 37,061 Northern Sonoma Sep, 1986 349,837 Petaluma Gap  (proposed)  (unknown) 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 (10) AVA DATE ACRES Anderson Valley Sep, 1983 58,532 Cole Ranch (smallest AVA) May, 1983 187 Covelo Feb, 2006 (unknown) 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 (2 + *1 shared) Solano County Green Valley Jan, 1983 17,009 Suisun Valley Dec, 1982 19,131 Wild Horse Valley (*Napa) Dec, 1988 3,941 TOP California - Far Northern Coast Area (2 + *1 shared) HUMBOLDT (*1 shared) Willow Creek (*Trinity) Sep, 1983 7,582 SISKIYOU COUNTY Seiad Valley June, 1994 2,203 TRINITY COUNTY (*1 shared) Trinity Lakes Feb, 2005 96,000 Willow Creek (*Humboldt) Sep, 1983 7,582 TOP California - Central Coast Area (*2 shared) 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 Livermore Valley Oct, 1982 82,329 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 150,400 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 (5) Happy Canyon Oct, 2009 23,941 Santa Maria Bench  (proposed) 3,200 Santa Maria Valley Sep, 1981 97,480 2Sta. 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 (*1 shared) South Coast (*Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego) Dec, 1985 2,141,514 LOS ANGELES COUNTY (3) Leona Valley Oct, 2008 8,600 Malibu-Newton Canyon June, 1996 957 Saddle Rock-Malibu July, 2006 2,100 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 (*shared) AVA DATE ACRES Sierra Foothills (*Yuba, Nevada, Placer, El Dorado, Amador, Calaveras, Tuolumne, Mariposa) Dec, 1987 2,654,179 EL DORADO COUNTY (2 + *1 shared) California Shenandoah Valley (*Amador) Feb, 1987 13,652 El Dorado Nov, 1983 410,115 Fair Play Apr, 2001 21,120 AMADOR COUNTY (1 + *1 shared) 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 Madera Jan, 1985 457,591 SACRAMENTO (*1 shared) AVA DATE ACRES Lodi (*San Joaquin) Mar, 1986 445,320 Sloughhouse July, 2006 78,800 SAN JOAQUIN (8 + *1 shared) Alta Mesa July, 2006 55,400 Borden Ranch July, 2006 70,000 Clements Hills July, 2006 85,400 Consumnes River July, 2006 54,700 Jahant July, 2006 28,000 Lodi (*Sacramento) Mar, 1986 445,320 Mokelumne River July, 2006 87,500 River Junction July, 2001 1,300 Tracy Hills July, 2006 39,200 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 (2 + *1 shared) 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 (1 + *1 shared) 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 Illinois (1 *shared) Upper Mississippi River Valley (*IO, MN & WN) June, 2009 19,145,000 Indiana  (1 *shared) Ohio River Valley (*KY, OH & WV - largest AVA) Nov, 1983 2,236,800 Iowa (1 *shared) Upper Mississippi River Valley (*IL, MN & WN) June, 2009 19,145,000 Kentucky (1 *shared) Ohio River Valley (*IN, OH & WV - largest AVA) Nov, 1983 2,236,800 Louisiana (1 *shared) Mississippi Delta (*MS & TN) Oct, 1984 3,840,000 Maryland (2 + *1 shared) Catoctin Feb, 1987 170,000 Cumberland Valley (*PA) Aug, 1985 765,000 Linganore Sep, 1983 57,600 Massachusetts (1 + *1 shared) 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 (1 + *1 shared) Alexandria Lakes Aug, 2005 10,880 Upper Mississippi River Valley (*IL, IO & WN) June, 2009 19,145,000 Mississippi (*1 shared) Mississippi Delta (*LA & TN) Oct, 1984 3,840,000 Missouri (3 + *1 shared) Augusta (First AVA approved) Jun, 1980 9,600 Hermann Feb, 1987 51,200 Ozark Mountain (*OK & AR) Aug, 1986 3,520,000 Ozark Highlands Sep, 1984 1,280,000 New Jersey (2 + *1 shared) 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 (2 + *1 shared) Mesilla Valley (*TX) Mar, 1985 284,800 Middle Rio Grande Valley Mar, 1988 278,400 Mimbres Valley Dec, 1985 636,800 New York (8 + *1 shared) is #3 in U.S.A. production by volume 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 (3 + *3 shared) 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 - largest AVA) Nov, 1983 2,236,800 TOP Oklahoma (1 + *1 shared) AVA DATE ACRES Grand Lake O' the Cherokees (proposed) (unknown) Ozark Mountain (*MO & AR) Aug, 1986 3,520,000 Oregon (10 + *3 shared) is #4 in U.S.A. production by volume Applegate Valley   Dec, 2001 400 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 2,688,000 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 (1 + *3 shared) 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 (*1 shared) Southeastern New England (*MA & CT) Apr, 1984 1,875,200 Tennessee (*1 shared) Mississippi Delta (*MS & LA) Oct, 1984 3,840,000 Texas (7 + *1 shared) 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 (5 + *1 shared) Monticello Feb, 1984 200,000 North Fork of Roanoke Feb, 1987  (14,000) 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 (7 + *3 shared) is #2 in U.S.A. production by volume Columbia Gorge (*OR) May, 2004 179,200 Columbia Valley (*OR) Feb, 1987 1,152,000 Horse Heaven Hills Aug, 2005 570,000 Lake Chelan Apr, 2009  24,040 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 shared) Ohio River Valley (*IN, KY & OH - largest AVA) Feb, 1987 16,640,000 Kanawha River Valley (*OH) May, 1986 64,000 Shenandoah Valley (*VA) Feb, 1987 2,400,000 Wisconsin (1 + *1 shared) Lake Wisconsin Feb, 1994 28,000 Upper Mississippi River Valley (*IL, IO & MN) June, 2009 19,145,000 TOP

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NOTES
1 - Because the reference sources used disagree widely, acreage figures are merely estimates and should not be relied upon. Acres planted is a substantially smaller number in many cases. Please verify and cross-reference if you are using this information for any purpose other than entertainment. BACK

2 - When this AVA was pending, the Chilean brand "Santa Rita Hills" won a suit for trademark infringement, forcing this American area to evermore be legally identified by abbreviated name only... 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.

Vestra offers a wide selection of detailed full color glossy unframed maps of West Coast AVAs.

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