Appalachian High Country AVA

Appalachian High Country
Wine region
TypeAmerican Viticultural Area
Year established2016[1]
CountryUnited States
Part ofNorth Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia
Other regions in North Carolina, Tennessee, VirginiaCrest of the Blue Ridge Henderson County AVA, Rocky Knob AVA, Swan Creek AVA, Upper Hiwassee Highlands AVA, Yadkin Valley AVA
Growing season139.2 days[2]
Climate regionRegions I-V[2]
Heat units61.3 °F (16.3 °C)[2]
Precipitation (annual average)48.6 in (1,234.4 mm)[2]
Soil conditionsTusquitee-Edneyville series; Granite and gneiss with fine loam[2]
Total area2,400 sq mi (1,536,000 acres)[1]
No. of vineyards20[3]
Grapes producedCabernet Franc, Merlot, Frontenac, Marechal Foch, Marquette, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Seyval Blanc, Traminette, Vidal Blanc and Viognier[4][5]
No. of wineries10[3]

Appalachian High Country is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located mainly in North Carolina with sections in Tennessee and Virginia. The approximately 2,400 square miles (1,536,000 acres) viticultural area encompasses all or portions of the following counties: Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Mitchell, and Watauga Counties in North Carolina; Carter County and Johnson Counties in Tennessee; and Grayson County in Virginia.[1] The appellation was recognized on February 28, 2016 by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), Treasury as the country's 239th, North Carolina's 5th, Tennessee's 2nd and Virginia's 8th AVA after reviewing the petition from Johnnie James, owner of Bethel Valley Farms, on behalf of members of the High Country Wine Growers Association, proposing the establishment of the viticultural area named "Appalachian High Country."[4]

The establishment of the Appalachian High Country AVA does not affect any existing AVA and will allow vintners to use ‘‘Appalachian High Country’’ as an appellation of origin for wines made primarily from grapes grown within the Appalachian High Country AVA if the wines meet the eligibility TTB requirements for the appellation.[1]

  1. ^ a b c d "Establishment of the Appalachian High Country Viticultural Area" (27 CFR Part 9 [Docket No. TTB–2016–0003; T.D. TTB–144; Ref: Notice No. 158] RIN 1513–AC25 Final Rule). Federal Register. 81 (208). Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), Treasury: 74677–74681. October 27, 2016.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Proposed Establishment of the Appalachian High Country Viticultural Area" (27 CFR Part 9 [Docket No. TTB–2016–0003; Notice No. 158] RIN 1513–AC25 Proposed Rules). Federal Register. 81 (85). Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, Treasury: 26507–26515. May 3, 2016.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  3. ^ a b "Appalachian High Country Wine". Wine-Searcher. 2023. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Petition to Establish the Appalachian High Country Viticultural Area". TTB.gov. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. October 14, 2014. Retrieved September 24, 2024.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  5. ^ "Welcome to the World, Appalachian High Country AVA!". Wine, Wit, and Wisdom. November 5, 2016.