What's an Appellation?

In the United States, winemakers are allowed to label their wines with the state or county in which the grapes were grown. But they can also list the name of the particular growing area if the federal government recognizes it as an "American Viticultural Area" or AVA -- also called an "appellation."

There are more than 200 AVAs across the United States, with more than 100 in California alone. There are four in Michigan. In the Northwest, near Traverse City, there are Old Mission Peninsula and Leelanau Peninsula; in the Southwest, Lake Michigan Shore and Fennville.

In reviewing applications for approval, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) considers whether the proposed name is one by which the area is actually known locally, and whether this area as defined in the application has distinctive soil and climatic conditions.

To use an approved AVA on a wine label, at least 85 percent of the grapes used must originate from the stated AVA, and the wine must be fully finished within the state. This helps maintain consistency in the wines made from a particular growing area. When you see "Lake Michigan Shore" or other AVA on the label, you can be assured that you are buying a wine unique to that region.

If you have questions about the wine grapes and vineyards of Michigan, or if you would like your vineyard listed here, please contact the Council at 517-241-4468 or by email.

For more information about appellations throughout the United States, visit www.appellationamerica.com.