The Pacific Ocean sends salt-infused breezes into the Santa Lucia Highlands. The Cascade Mountains shield Washington’s Ancient Lakes from all but a sprinkle of rain. The Mayacamas and Vaca ranges flank Napa Valley, creating a 29-mile enclave shielded from extreme weather. 

‍

On any single day these nuances may seem minor, but their effects on wine are profound. Because grapevines are extremely susceptible to slight changes in the environment, the interplay between weather patterns, soil types, topography, aspect and latitudes dramatically influences every bottle—inspiring decades of collaboration and the formation of American Viticultural Areas (AVAs). These legally defined areas delineate American wine regions based on distinguishable differences in climate, weather, topography and soil. 

In the glass, AVAs offer endless opportunities for exploration. For instance, the harmony between the coastal influences and limestone-flecked soils of Paso Robles—or Napa Valley’s foggy mornings and marine soils—leads to deliciously distinctive Cabernet Sauvignons. Similarly, the northern latitudes of the Willamette Valley AVA lend Pinot Noirs vibrant acidity, while the tunnel-like topography of the Santa Maria Valley AVA slows ripening to yield multilayered Chardonnays and Syrahs. From walking on the Dundee Hills’ ancient volcanic soils to peering through the foggy Santa Lucia Highlands, an AVA-focused approach to wine offers discovery with the pull of every cork. Join us to explore some of America’s most influential AVAs and their standout wines.