Wineries regions & wine tours in United States
Currently, the United States is home to approximately 170 regions designated as American Viticultural Areas (AVA’s). AVA’s are regions that are overseen by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, which is a division of the US Treasury Department. Only wines that receive at least 85% of their content from AVA vineyards can proclaim an AVA designation on their label. The label also must display the wine region from where the wine was derived.
Becoming an AVA Wine Region
In order for a wine region to receive AVA designation, it must endure extensive soil tests and research. Applications and petitions must also be completed and paid for, with a cost of around $15,000 for an AVA application. It is important to note that the AVA does not guarantee the quality of a wine. Rather, it designates only where 85% of the grapes used to create the wine were grown.
California AVA Wine Regions
California is home to some of the most popular United States AVA wine regions. The Sonoma Valley AVA, Napa Valley AVA, Paso Robles AVA, and Rutherford AVA are all found here. Napa Valley is perhaps the most well-known of the wine regions in the United States. Winning numerous awards and gaining great notoriety around the world, many people flock to Napa Valley to participate in its fabulous wine tours and wine tasting opportunities.
Ohio River Valley AVA Wine Regions
Despite the popularity of the California AVA wine regions, the largest of the AVA vineyards in existence is the Ohio River Valley AVA. This wine region consists of an amazing 16,640,000 acres, which is 75 times larger than Napa Valley AVA, and covers the states of Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia. The Ohio area was once a powerhouse in the wine industry, but was hit hard by Prohibition. After struggling for many years to become reestablished, the state of Ohio, along with the rest of the Ohio River Valley AVA, has become a leading force in the wine industry.
The Comeback of the Missouri Wine Regions
Perhaps the most impressive comeback of a wine region, however, is that of the Missouri wine regions. The state of Missouri was once the hub of wine production and home to the third largest winery in the world. After being hurt by Prohibition, the state of Missouri also struggled with becoming reestablished. Now, its wines are among the highest sought and the wine industry has established a strong tourism economy for the state, as well.
No matter the state or AVA region visited, those embarking on a wine vacation, filled with exciting wine tours and delicious wine tasting, are sure to have vacation memories to last a life time.