Author(s):
Deborah L. Elliott-Fisk* - University Of California - Davis
Abstract:
Since the establishment of the American Viticultural Areas (AVA) program of the U. S. Department of Treasury in 1978, almost 200 viticultural areas have been approved, with half of these in California. How does one go about subdividing an approved AVA into smaller appellations that meet federal requirements and may stand as approved AVAs? What geographic criteria are best used? How are boundary lines drawn? Examples are given from my research and work with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau for designating smaller viticultural areas within the Napa Valley, Lodi, and Paso Robles American Viticultural Areas.
