All 50 U.S states produce wine to some extent, but approximately 95 percent of it comes from just four of them. California produces most of the US wine, producing nearly five times more than the combined total of  Washington, Oregon and New York. The remaining 5 percent of wines are produced in other states, such as Texas and Virginia, where production is mostly for local consumption rather than national or international markets.

The United States is comprised of American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) that are geographical grape-growing areas established and controlled by the Alcohol and Tobacco, Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB).  In order for a wine to use an appellation on its label, at least 85 percent of the grapes used to make the wine must have been grown in the specified district.

Regional identity is denoted by the country’s more than 200 officially demarcated AVAs. Although these are similar to European-style appellations, AVA titles are less restrictive, and indicate only the region of origin for the grapes.

AVAs vary in size from one quarter of a square mile to almost 30,000 square miles (77,700 square kilometers).

More than half of the US AVAs are located in California.

AVAs as Defined by the Alcohol & Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau

Arizona

Sonoita

Arkansas

Altus

Arkansas Mountains

Ozark Mountain

California

California is the largest wine region in the U.S. with more than 130 AVAs spanning the state from North to South. With more than 200 years of grape growing history, dating back to the 18th century, European settlers and missionaries brought wine producing grapes to California. But it wasn't until the 1970's that the wines gained international recognition. Since then, there has been massive growth of wine production through out the state.  California produces more than 90% of American wines.

Colorado

Grand Valley

West Elks

Connecticut

Southeastern New England

Western Connecticut Highlands

Georgia

Upper Hiwassee Highlands

Idaho

Idaho may not be on everyone’s wine map, but it’s actually one of the country’s fastest growing states and just might become a notable wine region. Today, there are 52 wineries in Idaho located across three AVAs. The state’s top grapes include Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Malbec, Merlot, Riesling, Syrah, Tempranillo and Viognier.

Eagle Foothills

Lewis-Clark Valley

Snake River Valley - This is an 8000 square mile AVA!

Illinois

Shawnee Hills

Upper Mississippi River Valley

Indiana

Indiana Uplands

Ohio River Valley

Iowa

Upper Mississippi River Valley

Kentucky

Ohio River Valley

Louisiana

Mississippi Delta

Maine

While having less than 100 acres planted, Maine in on the wine map with more than 30 wineries. With an annual average temperature of just over 45 degrees F, along with the harsh winters, makes wine making difficult in Maine, but hybrid grapes, such as Marquette, Frontenac and Cayuga are helping their efforts. Other common grapes include Marechal Foch, Léon Millot, Corot Noir, Frontenac Gris, St. Croix, La Crosse and St. Pepin. There are currently no designated AVAs in Maine.

Maryland

Catoctin

Cumberland Valley

Linganore

Massachusetts

Martha's Vineyards

Southeastern New England

Michigan

Michigan in the second most agriculturally diverse state in the U.S., so it shouldn’t be a surprise they grow grapes. With five AVAs and nearly 150 wineries, the Michigan’s vineyard area has doubled over the past decade. Top grapes include Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir and Riesling. Most of the highest quality grapes are being grown within 25 miles of Lake Michigan.

Fernville - Established in 1981, this was Michigan’s 1st AVA

Lake Michigan Shore - Located in south-west Michigan, this AVA produces ~40% of the state’s wine.

Lelanau Peninsula - This was Michigan’s second AVA which is located in the north-western peninsula of Lake Michigan

Old Mission Peninsula - This tiny AVA is also located in the northern part of the state on a small peninsula of Lake Michigan

Tipp of the Mitt - The northern-most AVA located between Lake Michigan and Lake Huron

Minnesota

Alexandria Lakes

Upper Mississippi River Valley

Mississippi

Mississippi Delta

Missouri

Augusta

Hermann

Ozark Highlands

Ozark Mountain

New Hampshire

Modern viticulture really started in New Hampshire in the 1980s and 1990s. While there are currently no official AVAs in New Hampshire, there are aromatic white wines of note. Among the approximately 30 wineries you’ll find Riesling, along with lesser-known grapes like Cayuga White, De Chaunac, Marechal Foch, Seyval Blanc and La Crescent.

New Jersey

It shouldn’t be surprising that the Garden State grows grapes and produces wines. The Renault Winery was the first commercial vineyard that was established in 1864 and is still open. The state's most important grapes include Blaufränkisch, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chambourcin, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Riesling and Syrah.

Cape May Peninsula - Established in May 2018, this AVA lies entirely within the Outer Coastal Plain viticultural area.

Central Delaware Valley - A shared AVA with Pennsylvania

Outer Coastal Plain

Warren Hills

New Mexico

The first vineyards were planted in New Mexico in 1629. Today there is almost 1 million cases of wine produced in the three AVAs. Elevations range from 400 feet to more than 6000 feet. These higher elevations along with their sandy soils that provide excellent drainage leads to some very nice wine. Grapes of note include Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc and Syrah.

Mesilla Valley - A shared AVA with Texas

Middle Rio Grande Valley

Mimbres Valley

New York

New York is home to the oldest winery in the U.S., dating back to 1839.  Prohibition in the U.S. from 1919 to 1933 nearly eliminated New York's wine producers. In 1975 there were only 19 remaining wineries; the wine industry was nearly gone.  But in a strong revival, the state has grown to currently having more than 400 wineries, along with 9 AVAs.

North Carolina

With intense summer heat and cool Atlantic Ocean breezes, North Carolina is able to grow varieties that include Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, Syrah, Tempranillo, Albariño and Viognier. Declines in the tobacco market has lead many farmers to switch to grapes where there are now five AVAs, many being located in the rolling hills and mountains.

Appalachian High Country

Haw River Valley

Swan Creek

Upper Hiwassee Highlands

Yadkin Valley - The state’s first AVA

Ohio

In the mid-1800s, Ohio was at the center of the U.S. wine industry with the Catawba grape being used to make sparkling wine. Today, Ohio is actually the U.S.’s sixth largest wine producer! Their top grapes include Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Vidal Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Marquettte, Catawba, Concord and Niagara.

Grand River Valley

Isle St. George

Lake Erie

Loramie Creek

Ohio River Valley

Oklahoma

Ozark Mountain

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Central Delaware Valley - A shared AVA with New Jersey

Cumberland Valley

Lake Erie

Lancaster Valley

Lehigh Valley

Rhode Island

Southeastern New England

Texas

While everything is usually bigger in Texas, they actually produce some lighter wines. In the 1600s, Texas began growing grapes. Today, the northwestern part of the state is growing the majority of the grapes in the Texas High Plains AVA which is just one of their eight AVAs. The top grapes being grown in Texas include Albariño, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mourvèdre, Tempranillo, Vermentino and Viognier.

Bell Mountain - At just five square miles, Bell Mountain is a small region that sits entirely within the Texas Hill Country AVA. The region sits on the Llano Uplift, the highest elevation between the cities of Fredericksburg and Llano.

Escondido Valley - This AVA is a desert with buttes throughout. It encompasses 32,000 acres in the state’s western portion, known as the Trans-Pecos region. The valley sits at about 2,700 feet.

Fredericksburg in the Texas Hill Country - Comprising approximately 110 square miles, the Fredricksburg AVA became official in 1988. It sits entirely within the larger Hill Country AVA and is home to over 100 wineries among sprawling green landscapes and sloping hills.

Mesilla Valley - The Mesilla Valley AVA, split between New Mexico and Texas, runs along the Rio Grande River and was established in 1985. It sits at approximately 3,500 feet above sea level and is surrounded by the Organ Mountains to the west and the Rio Grande.

Texas Davis Mountains - Established in 1998 and sitting at about 5,400 feet above sea level, this high desert can reach temperatures above 95°F (35°C) during the day and drop to below 40°F (4°C) at night in the peak of summer. Inside this small AVA, there are only four vineyards with a total planting of 43.5 acres, and at this time, only one winery.

Texas High Plains - The region sits between 3,000 and 4,000 feet and experiences wide diurnal shifts. In summer, there can be a 30° temperature difference between day and night. The Texas High Plain soil is rust red from its iron composition and consists of sandy loam over caliche and eolian sand.This AVA grows more than 80% of the state’s wine grapes. Its soils tend to be more sandy and its elevations vary from 3000 to 4000 feet.

Texas Hill Country - With over 9 million acres, this is one of the largest AVAs in the U.S. with elevations between 800 and 2,800 feet. It is located in south-central Texas and forms the southeast portion of the Edwards Plateau.

Texoma - The Texoma AVA – about 3,600 square miles – although large in area, is home to only 65 acres of vines.

Virginia

Virginia has eight distinct AVAs, spanning from Chesapeake Bay to the Blue Ridge Mountains:

North Fork of Roanoke

Rocky Knob

Monticello

Northern Neck George Washington Birthplace

Virginia’s Eastern Shore

Virginia Peninsula

Middleburg Virginia

Shenandoah Valley

Washington State

West Virginia

Kabawha River Valley

Ohio River Valley

Shenandoah Valley

Wisconsin

Lake Wisconsin

Upper Mississippi River Valley

Wisconsin Ledge