What is an American Viticultural Area? (AVA)

An American Viticultural Area is a designated wine grape-growing region which is distinguishable by geographic features, with boundaries defined by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), United States Department of the Treasury. The TTB defines AVAs at the request of wineries and other petitioners. There were 193 AVAs as of February, 2009. Prior to the installation of the AVA system, wine appellations of origin in the United States were designated based on state or county boundaries. All of these appellations were grandfathered into federal law and may appear on wine labels as designated places of origin, but these appellations are distinct from AVAs.

Washington AVA Map

Washington state has 11 American Viticulture Areas (AVA) each with unique climate, soli, and physical features which add complexity to the grape profiles and distinguish it from surrounding areas.