The Kanawha River AVA in West Virginia’s western lowlands is home to the state’s largest city and capital, Charleston. The 64,0000 acre AVA extends into Ohio and is part of the gigantic Ohio River Valley, but is predominantly located in the ‘Mountain State’. Wine production is limited in this AVA, with most of the vineyards planted to French-American hybrids. The first commercial winery in the state, Fisher Ridge, began operation in the AVA in 1979. The Kanawha River AVA benefits from the moderating influence of the river, and local winds decrease susceptibility to fungal diseases which plague the Mid-Atlantic States. Little activity has occurred in the AVA since 1979, although three other wineries now call the southwestern region, if not the AVA, home.