An American Viticultural Area, or AVA, is a specific type of appellation of origin used on wine labels. An AVA is a delimited grape-growing region with specific geographic or climatic features that distinguish it from the surrounding regions and affect how grapes are grown. Using an AVA designation on a wine label allows vintners to describe more accurately the origin of their wines to consumers and helps consumers identify wines they may purchase.

The names and boundary descriptions for all established AVAs are described in our regulations (See Code of Federal Regulations at 27 CFR part 9).  For information about the requirements for using an AVA or other kinds of appellations of origins (country, state, or county name) on a wine label, see our regulations at 27 CFR 4.25.

Learn More about AVAs

Applying to Establish or Modify an AVA		List of Established, Proposed, and Pending AVAs		AVA Reading Room		AVA Map Explorer
Any individual or group can submit a petition to establish a new AVA or to modify the boundaries of an existing AVA.		View lists of established AVAs, published proposed AVAs, and pending AVA petitions that have been accepted as perfected, as well as a list of AVA establishment dates.		View copies of the petitions and related rulemaking documents for established AVAs in the AVA Reading Room.		Use the American Viticultural Area (AVA) Map Explorer to view the boundaries of all established and proposed AVAs.