AnAmerican Viticultural Area (AVA) is a designatedappellation forAmerican wine in the United States distinguishable by geographic, geologic, and climatic features, with boundaries initially defined by theBureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), then in 2003 by theAlcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) of theUnited States Department of the Treasury.[1] As of October 2025, there are 277 recognized AVAs in 34 states[2]—several of which are shared by two or more states. Over half (154) of the AVAs are inCalifornia.
American Viticultural Areas range in size from theUpper Mississippi River Valley AVA at 29,900 square miles (77,000 km2) across four states, to theCole Ranch AVA inMendocino County, California, at only 62 acres (25 ha). TheAugusta AVA near the town ofAugusta, Missouri, was the first recognized AVA, established on June 20, 1980.[3]
These AVAs are located in far northern California, east ofRedding.
All of these AVAs are included in the geographic boundaries of theCentral Coast AVA with the exceptions ofBen Lomond Mountain AVA andSanta Cruz Mountains AVA, which are surrounded by, but are specifically excluded from, the larger regional AVA.
Unlike other regions of California, there is no large regional AVA designation that includes the entireCentral Valley wine growing region.
These AVAs are located in the southernKlamath Mountains of far northwestern California.
All of these AVAs are included within the geographic boundaries of the six-countyNorth Coast AVA.
All of these AVAs are contained entirely within the geographic boundaries of theSierra Foothills AVA.
