What is an AVA?

An American Viticultural Area (AVA) is an officially recognized "delimited grape growing region distinguishable by geographical features, the boundaries of which have been recognized and defined" through a petition process (Code of Federal Regulations).

An AVA designation is one type of appellation permitted on American wine labels to provide consumers with information on the growing locale of grapes used in the labeled wine. Petitions for new viticultural areas are considered for approval by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau with evidence that the proposed name of the viticultural area is locally or nationally known as referring to the area specified; the boundaries are as specified; and the geographical features (climate, soil, elevation, physical features, etc.) distinguish the viticultural features of the proposed area from surrounding areas.