American Viticultural Area
An American Viticultural Area (AVA) is a designated wine grape-growing region in the United States, providing an official appellation for the mutual benefit of wineries and consumers. Winemakers frequently want their consumers to know about the geographic pedigree of their wines, as wines from a particular area can possess distinctive characteristics. Consumers often seek out wines from specific AVAs, and certain wines of particular pedigrees can claim premium prices and loyal customers. If a wine is labeled with an AVA, at least 85% of the grapes that make up the wine must have been grown in the AVA, and the wine must be fully finished within the state where the AVA is located.
A bottle of wine from the Santa Maria Valley AVA, the nation's third American Viticultural Area established in 1981
A vineyard in the Leelanau Peninsula AVA, in Michigan. Michigan is home to five AVAs, all adjacent to Lake Michigan.
Paso Robles AVA in California's Central Coast.
Sonoma County, California
Sonoma County is located in the U.S. state of California. As of the 2020 United States Census, its population was 488,863. Its seat of government and largest city is Santa Rosa.
Image: Bodega Bay CA Edit 3194
Image: Sonoma City Hall
Image: Cannons & Chapel, Fort Ross State Historical Monument, CA 7 5 2010 5 59 11 PM
Fort Ross was established by the Russians in 1812.