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Taking Focus on Appellation
by Clark Smith
December 9, 2013

Appellation America has entered its second decade on the web. Much has changed since the start, but the core focus remains characterizing the unique flavor profiles of North America’s appellations and the natural influences and human cultural forces which influence them.


We understand that through objective evaluation of wines of these appellations, finding the recurring characteristics that typify such place is primary.

[>] see full story

Related Stories...
Appellation vs. Terroir
Whitehall Lane Winery, A 20 Year Story of Vineyards
by Roger King
July 15, 2013

The emblematic mustard of Napa Valley showcases Whitehall Lane Winery during the quiet winter season. The showcase of varietal, vineyard, and appellation blends are how this same family winery focuses it's presence across the Napa Valley. Vineyard sites secured and redeveloped over the last 20 years in St. Helena, Rutherford and Oak Knoll AVA's of Napa Valley form the core of what is placed in bottle.




[>] see full story

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Napa Valley AVA-by-AVA
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Embracing Virginia’s Terroir
by Richard Leahy
June 2, 2013

The wine regions of Virginia have taken a large chunck of center stage in the Eastern United States as grape varieties focus more to red Bordeaux selections with Sangiovese and Tannat in tow. Hightened attention in winery is bringing the most out of these plantings and these wines are gaining much acclaim. Cast in a more European style, finesse over raw power prevails.

[>] see full story

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Delaplane Cellars vineyards in Lost Mountain range
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Loudoun County VA
Shake Ridge Ranch - Gem of the Sierra
by Roger King
May 16, 2013

Ann Kraemer has created one of the most profound Sierra Foothills - Amador County vineyards outside of Sutter Creek and some of California's best winemakers are her Shake Ridge Ranch 100% vineyard designate clients.

[>] see full story

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Current Features

Upper Hiwassee Highlands
Bi-State Upper Hiwassee Highlands an AVA by Roger King   (Aug 6)
Manton Valley
Remote Manton Valley New California AVA by Roger King   (Jul 31)
Washington
WAWGG Banquet Explores Washington State Terrior by Roger King   (Feb 2)
America
Taking Focus on Appellation by Clark Smith   (Dec 9)
Napa Valley
Tudal, Napa Valley by Barbara Trigg   (Sep 26)
Mendocino
Mendocino County: Wine, Waves and Highway 1 by Carl Ribaudo   (Aug 27)
Rutherford ~ Napa Valley
A Day in the (Rutherford) Dust by Barbara Trigg   (Aug 2)
Napa Valley
Whitehall Lane Winery, A 20 Year Story of Vineyards by Roger King   (Jul 15)

[>] Browse features archive

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North American Appellations

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Q: What is an appellation?
An appellation is a winegrowing region with officially recognized boundaries. Appellation designations are required on wine labels to identify the origin of the grapes used in making the wine. Vineyard locations rather than winery locations determine appellation.

Because in North America we are in the process of defining our growing areas, there are two classes of appellations. Political boundaries (states, provinces and counties) are still used for some, but increasingly, appellations defined by geographic boundaries based on topography, climate and soil types are receiving government approval. These geographically based appellations are known as American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) in the U.S. and Designated Viticultural Areas (DVAs) in Canada.



[>] click here to learn more about appellations.
Q: Where are the appellations?
Counting all classes of appellations there are 324 officially recognized wine growing regions in North America. Presently, in the U.S. there are 202 AVAs spread across 26 states, and 21 DVAs in Canada.

[>] click here to see the complete appellation index and learn where each appellation is located.
Q: Looking for a grape variety?
In the U.S. and Canada, there are presently 341 grape varieties being grown for commercial wine production.

[>] click here to see the complete grape variety index and learn what regions are growing what.
Q: Looking for a winery?
There are presently 5529 commercial wineries in North America, with 2700 in California and the rest spread across the other 49 states and six Canadian provinces.

[>] click here to see the complete winery index and find our where they are and what they are producing.
Q: What wines can I buy?
Appellation America is your portal to buying 1723 distinctive wines directly from 190 wineries representing 76 appellations across North America.

[>] click here to browse wines.
Q: Who’s writing about wine?
Internationally, there are countless wine scribes passionately writing about global wine related topics as well as more regionally focused issues. No matter where you are, there is likely someone to be covering the wine scene of your area.

[>] click here to find a writer or to register yourself in the wine writers index.

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Sommelier Wine Picks

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2009 Pinot Noir - Elk Prairie Vineyard
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750ml $39.00

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750ml $18.00

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750ml $21.95

Joseph Jewel Wines
2008 Pinot Noir - Elk Prairie Vineyard
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750ml $39.00

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750ml $28.00

Cima Collina
2006 Pinot Noir - Tondre Grapefield
(Santa Lucia Highlands)


750ml $48.00


[>] See more Sommelier Wine Picks

New Partners

Appellation America welcomes its newest Partners to the Winery-Direct Marketplace!

Dolin Mailbu Estate
(Malibu Coast)
Balletto Vineyards
(Russian River Valley)
Howell Mountain Vineyards
(Howell Mountain ~ Napa Valley)
Vellum
(Napa Valley)
Boxwood Winery
(Middleburg Virginia)
Loos Family Winery
(Santa Clara Valley)

[>] See our Complete Winery Catalog

Wineries wishing to become Partners in the Winery-Direct Marketplace please contact us.