From Napa to the Finger Lakes: America's Diverse Wine Landscape
American Viticultural Area (Est. 1980)
First vines planted
Spanish introduce vines
Wine boom begins
Industry decimated
California beats France
Established
Screaming Eagle et al
Lower alcohol trend
Minimal intervention
America's wine capital - 85% of US production
America's most prestigious region. 4% of CA wine, 30% of value. 16 sub-AVAs ranging from valley floor to mountain peaks.
Diversity defined - from cool coastal fog to warm inland valleys. More approachable than Napa with incredible variety.
California's most diverse region stretching from Monterey to Santa Barbara. Cool climate Pinot to powerful Rhône blends.
Pinot Noir's American promised land
Oregon's wine heart with Burgundian philosophy. Marine sedimentary and volcanic soils. 11 nested sub-AVAs each with distinct character.
Warmer, diverse regions with emerging quality.
America's #2 producer - Continental climate excellence
Mega-AVA in rain shadow of Cascades. Desert irrigated by Columbia River with dramatic diurnal shifts and long daylight hours.
America's #3 producer - Cool climate excellence
Deep glacial lakes moderate climate with shale and limestone soils. World-class Riesling rivaling Germany's best.
Maritime climate and America's oldest wine region.
East Coast rising star
5th largest producer
Cool climate surprise
From California Cabernet to Finger Lakes Riesling
America's most planted premium grape. Napa Valley sets the global standard for New World expression.
Cool climate excellence
California heritage
Cool climate star
Icons: Saxum, Sine Qua Non, Cayuse
Movement: 1980s origin, now mainstream
Trend: Growing interest in Italian grapes
Watch: Nebbiolo experiments
From coast to coast - celebrating America's diverse culinary landscape with wine
Key Producers: Littorai, Arnot-Roberts, Division
Styles: Pet-nat, orange wines, minimal SO2
Philosophy: Food-friendly, European-inspired
Leaders: Rajat Parr, Jasmine Hirsch
| Label Term | Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| AVA | 85% minimum | From stated AVA |
| County/State | 75% minimum | From stated origin |
| Vineyard Designated | 95% minimum | From named vineyard |
| Estate Bottled | 100% | Winery owned/controlled |
| Varietal | 75% minimum | 51% for labrusca |
| Reserve | No requirement | Winery discretion |
| Old Vine | No definition | Marketing term |
| Alcohol | ±1.5% tolerance | ±1% if >14% |
| Contains Sulfites | Required if >10ppm | FDA requirement |
Fruit-Forward: Ripe, approachable, often higher alcohol (14-15%+)
• Classic California style
• International appeal
• Oak influence common
Food-Friendly: Balanced, moderate alcohol (12-13.5%), higher acidity
• Growing trend
• European-inspired
• Terroir focus
Natural/Minimal: Native yeast, low/no SO2, minimal intervention
• California and Oregon leaders
• Pet-nat popularity
• Orange wine trend
2018: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent, balanced (CA, WA)
2019: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Outstanding quality (CA)
2020: ⭐⭐⭐ Fire impacts, variable (CA, OR)
2021: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Drought, concentrated (CA)
2022: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Heat spikes, early (CA)
2023: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Cool, extended season
Top collectible American wines with proven appreciation and aging potential
| Category | USD | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday | Under $15 | Columbia Crest, Bogle |
| Premium Everyday | $15-30 | La Crema, J. Lohr |
| Special Occasion | $30-60 | Ridge, Flowers |
| Fine Wine | $60-150 | Caymus, Silver Oak |
| Luxury/Collectible | $150+ | Cult wines, icons |
| Style | Region | Specific Bottle | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crisp White | Washington | Charles Smith "Kung Fu Girl" Riesling | $12 |
| Aromatic White | California | Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc + Viognier | $10 |
| Rich White | Sonoma | Kendall-Jackson "Vintner's Reserve" Chardonnay | $13 |
| Rosé | California | Bonterra Rosé | $10 |
| Light Red | Oregon | A to Z Pinot Noir | $15 |
| Medium Red | Lodi | Michael David "Freakshow" Zinfandel | $15 |
| Bold Red | Washington | Columbia Crest "Grand Estates" Cabernet | $10 |
| Premium Pinot | Russian River | La Crema Pinot Noir | $20 |
| Premium Cab | Napa | Louis M. Martini Napa Cabernet | $20 |
| Red Blend | California | The Prisoner Red Blend | $35 |
| Rhône Style | Paso Robles | J. Lohr "South Ridge" Syrah | $15 |
| Icon Splurge | Napa | Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon | $90 |