WINE TERM: AVA
AVA or American Viticultural Area (noun): Specific region where grapes are grown, as approved by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms.
There is no limit to size, as an AVA can be less than a square mile (as with Cole Ranch) or cross state lines (as with Columbia Valley or Shenandoah Valley). There are, however, specifications as to when an AVA can be used on the label. Most require that 85% of the grapes come from a particular AVA, but WA and OR require all or nothing.
Examples: Paso Robles, Lodi, Anderson Valley, Williamette Valley, Finger Lakes, Texas High Plains, Lake Wisconsin
Problems: Confusion comes from overlapping. Napa County vs. Napa Valley, Stags’ Leap Winery or Stag’s Leap Cellars vs. Stags Leap District (which is within Napa Valley) Actually, there are many AVA’s within Napa, and many with the same names as wineries. Whew.
Side note: Appellation also refers to wine-growing areas but is less specific.
A handy site when all the name and location repetition is about to drive you to drink: here
AVA, American Viticultural Area, appellation




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