As of 2016, there were 238 recognized AVAs—several of which are shared by two or more states. Today wine is produced in all 50 US states with vines planted in more than 30 states. 85%- Cali 85/ 95- WA 95- OR. April 6th was made California Poppy Day and is celebrated annually. France, about 50 percent bigger than California, has more than 300 AOCs. The proposed Long Valley AVA covers 7,605 acres in Northern California’s Lake County, which is already broken up into seven AVAs. (a list of AVAs in California ---) AVA: minimum 85% of grapes from there Vintage Requirements: must use 85% of grapes of that vintage Varietal Content: min. The Largest AVA: Upper Mississippi River Valley AVA. Southern California RegionThe Southern California Region extends from the Malibu-Newton Canyon AVA, 850 acres, north of the city of Los Angeles to the southern border of California below the city of San Diego. Too many AVAs? A link to the appropriate CFR section for each AVA is included in the last column. The official boundary description for each AVA is contained in part 9 of the TTB regulations. Eleven! I’m in complete agreement. Instead of appointing a group to decide where the borders between regions should lie, the TTB waits until it gets an application for an AVA, reads public comments, and says either yes or no. An American Viticultural Area (AVA) is a designated appellation for American wine in the United States distinguishable by geographic, geologic, and climatic features, with boundaries defined by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) of the United States Department of the Treasury. Not as many AVAs as French cheeses, but we are gaining on them. During the early years of winemaking in the Napa Valley, vineyards were often planted in patchwork patterns with many varieties growing side by side, as the practice of matching the most appropriate grape varieties to the particular soil and climatic conditions of a vineyard site was little understood at best. Only 34 of California's AVAs have any real meaning, and far fewer tell you anything about how the wine tastes. I’m in complete agreement. Almost 60,000 acres of vineyards and more than 425 wineries fall within the borders of 18 American Viticultural Areas (AVAs), or appellations, each with its own distinctive characteristics. Today wine is produced in all 50 US states with vines planted in more than 30 states. California has the highest number (139 as of 2016) of AVA’s in the United States, with the majority of them concentrated along the Coastal regions, while the fertile Central Valley and Sierra Foothills are less concentrated, they are home to many productive and unique wine regions . And the Templeton Gap – the coolest part of a warm region – is where the area's best wines come from. That's completely legal, and everybody would know where it is. The idea is to increase awareness for the regional brand. But AVA doesn't necessarily mean what you think it does. I write about wine in California for a living, and I didn't recognize those three of the state's 130 official AVAs (American Viticultural Areas). Let’s look at Napa Valley, where California’s first AVAs appeared. We found 2 entries for Ava Afshari in the United States. West Coast – More than 90% of the total American wine production occurs in the states of California, Washington, and Oregon. Photo in the article by “Flickr” https://www.flickr.com/photos/jimg944/3866666216. There are currently no public tasting rooms in this AVA. Santa Maria Valley, also distinctive, was second. Find Ava Afshari in the United States. Currently, there are 252 established AVAs in the United States. The state already has about 183 American Viticultural Areas, * which is a lot, but nowhere close to France’s 300-plus appellations, not to mention Italy’s 800 or so assorted DOCs, DOCGs and IGTs.. Willow Creek, Trinity Lakes in Humbolt and Trinity counties, Seiad Valley in Siskiyou which is closer to Oregon's Rouge Valley. Paso Robles was the largest un-subdivided AVA in California at approximately 614,000 acres. This poppy has gold blooms and grows wild in many areas in the state. How many AVAs are there? Sonoma currently has 16 AVAs, many overlapping, with upcoming applications for two more. A lot of California AVAs are like that. 95%. Last updated: November 19, 2020. Dry Creek Valley (Zinfandel) is hot during the day, cool at night and has some of California's oldest Zinfandel plantings. Some states have different requirements and there are even more complicated instances with international wines. 226 (2015) Example: The Napa Valley is an AVA, but there are smaller areas located within the Napa Valley that have an AVA. The state has too many AVAs and consumers can't possibly keep track.