California AVAs
Central Coast AVA
Alameda County
Livermore Valley AVA - Long before anyone had ever heard of Napa, more than 50 wineries flourished here in the 19th century prior to Prohibition. The Wente and Concannon wineries are two that survived.
San Francisco Bay AVA
Lamorinda AVA
Contra Costa County
Monterey County
Arroyo Seco AVA
Carmel Valley AVA
Chalone AVA
Hames Valley AVA
Monterey AVA
San Antonio Valley AVA
San Bernabe AVA
San Lucas AVA
Santa Lucia Highlands AVA - Located between Monterey and Big Sur in the Santa Lucia Mountains, this region's vineyards are approximately 50% Pinot Noir, which does so well in the cool coastal climate. But this region includes many grape varietals including Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Viognier, Riesling, Pinot Gris and Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot and Syrah.
San Benito County
The only county within the Central Coast AVA that touches neither ocean nor bay.
Chalone AVA
Cienega Valley AVA
Lime Kiln AVA
Mt Harlan AVA
Pacheco Pass AVA
Paicines AVA
San Benito AVA
San Francisco County
San Luis Obispo County
San Luis Obispo AVA
Arroyo Grande Valley AVA
Edna Valley AVA
Paso Robles
Adelaida District AVA
Creston District AVA
El Pomar District AVA
Paso Robles Estrella District AVA
Paso Robles Geneseo District AVA
Paso Robles Highlands District AVA
Paso Robles Willow Creek District AVA
San Juan Creek AVA
San Miguel District AVA
Santa Margarita Ranch AVA
Templeton Gap District AVA
York Mountain AVA
San Mateo County
Santa Cruz Mountains AVA
Santa Barbara County
Alisos Canyon AVA - Located near the town of Los Alamos between the Santa Maria and Santa Ynez Valleys, Alisos Canyon stretches into the sandy hills on both sides of Alisos Canyon Road from Highway 101 to Foxen Canyon Road. This AVA, created in 2020, is nearly 5,800 acres and home to about 240 acres of wine grapes planted on nine ranches. Vineyards of this AVA are known for Syrah, Grenache and other Rhône grapes.
Ballard Canyon AVA - This 7,700 acre region was formed in 2013 and has 600 acres of vineyards. More than half the acreage is dedicated to Syrah, but another 30% contains other Rhone varieties such as Grenache Blanc.
Foxen Canyon - A wide range of grapes are grown here including Riesling, Chenin Blanc, Albariño, Grenache and Gamay Noir.
Happy Canyon AVA - Established in 2009, this region produces Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Sangiovese and Syrah.
Lompoc -
Los Alamos Valley -
Los Olivos - Warmer weather grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc do well here.
Santa Maria Valley AVA - Located in Northern Santa Barbara County, this region has 7,500 acres of planted vineyards producing many white and red wines. Cool-climate grapes such as Pinot Noir and Chardonnay thrive here.
Santa Ynez Valley AVA - Part of the larger Central Coast AVA, this region has the largest concentration of wineries in Santa Barbara County. Chardonnay is big along the cooler western part of the valley while the Rhone varietals do best in warmer eastern region.
Los Olivos District AVA - Entirely within the Santa Ynez Valley AVA, located between the Ballard Canyon AVA and the Happy Canyon ABV. Established February 2016.
Sta. Rita Hills AVA - Created in 2001, this region experiences fog and coastal breeze along the Pacific Ocean, and has become well known for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay which grow so well in these conditions. The region is also well known for its Chardonnay and Syrah varietals.
Santa Clara County
San Ysidro District AVA
Santa Clara Valley AVA
Santa Cruz
Ben Lomond Mountain AVA - Established in 1987, this regions has 9,000 acres of planted vineyards focused on Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Inland Valleys
Madera County
Madera AVA
Sacramento County
Alta Mesa AVA
Borden Ranch AVA
Clarksburg AVA
Cosumnes River AVA
Sloughhouse AVA
San Joaquin County
Clements Hills AVA
Jahant AVA
Lodi AVA
MokelumneRiver AVA
River Junction AVA
Tracey Hills AVA
Stanislaus County
Diablo Grande AVA
Salado Creek AVA
Yolo County
Capay Valley AVA
Dunnigan Hills AVA
Merritt Island AVA
North Coast
North Coast
Lake County
Benmore Valley AVA
Clear Lake AVA
Guenoc Valley AVA
High Valley AVA
Red Hills Lake County AVA
Mendocino County - Best wines are divided into cooler-climate types such as Pinot Noir and Gewürztraminer and the warm climate Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Rhone varietals.
Anderson Valley AVA
Cole Ranch AVA
Covelo AVA
Dos Rios AVA
McDowell Valley AVA
Mendocino AVA
Mendocino Ridge AVA
Potter Valley AVA
Redwood Valley AVA
Yorkville Highlands AVA
Sonoma County
Bennett Valley AVA
Carneros AVA
Chalk Hill AVA
Dry Creek AVA
Fort Ross - Seaview AVA
Green Valley AVA (See Russian River)
Knights Valley AVA
Moon Mountain AVA
Northern Sonoma AVA
Pine Mountain - Cloverdale Peak AVA
Rockpile AVA
Russian River Valley AVA
Middle Reach - The northern most neighborhood located near Healdsburg and Dry Creek Valley.
Laguna Ridge - Located in the central Russian River AVA.
Santa Rosa Plain - Flatlands near Santa Rosa, encompassing Olivet Road and the Piner-Olivet area.
Green Valley AVA - In the south western part of the Russian River AVA, centered around the towns of Graton and Occidental. Known for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, but also producing Sauvignon Blanc,Syrah adn Zinfandel. Wine producers often use the more prestigious 'Russian River AVA' on their labels.
Sebastopol Hills - In southern Russian River AVA, running east to west around the town of Sebastopol.
Sonoma Coast AVA
Petaluma Gap - Recognized as a separate AVA in 2017 apart from the Sonoma Coast AVA, this region spans around 200,000 acres centered around Petaluma. The ‘gap’ is a 15 mile wide opening in the coastal mountain range that brings cold air from the Pacific Ocean.
Sonoma Mountain AVA
Sonoma Valley AVA
Napa
Atlas Peak AVA
Calistoga AVA
Chiles Valley AVA
Coombsville AVA
Diamond Mountain District AVA
Howell Mountain AVA
Los Carneros AVA
Mt Veeder AVA
Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley AVA
Oakville AVA
Pope Valley AVA (Proposed)
Rutherford AVA
St. Helena AVA
Spring Mountain District AVA
Stags Leap AVA
Wild Horse Valley AVA
Yountville AVA
Sierra Foothills
Sierra Foothills AVA - Located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, this AVA was established in 1987. While Zinfandel is the most produced grape, others include Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Barbera.
Amador County -- Two-thirds of the wines produced here are Zinfandel. Others major grapes include Barbera, Sangiovese, Syrah and Grenache.
California Shenandoah Valley AVA - First settled during the California Gold Rush, this AVA was formally established in 1982. While mostly producing Zinfandel, many other grapes are grown including Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignane, Grenache, Merlot, Mourvedre, Nebbiolo, Petite Sirah, Roussanne, Sangiovese, Syrah and Barbera.
Fiddletown AVA - Established in 1983, this area is between 1500 - 2500 feet in elevation and produces approximately 20% of the wines from Amador County. Grapes produced include Zinfandel, Barbera, Grenache and Petite Sirah.
El Dorado County
El Dorado AVA - Located between 1200 - 3500 feet above sea level, this region get cool breezes coming off the mountains. While focused on the production of Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, many other grapes are grown here including Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier as well as Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Grenache, Marsanne, Petite Sirah, Syrah, Tempranillo and Sangiovese.
Fair Play AVA - Established in 2001, this region is contained within the El Dorado and Sierra Foothills AVAs. It has approximately 350 acres of planted vineyards focused on growing Zinfandel as well as Chardonnay, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, and Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, and Sangiovese.
Yuba County
North Yuba AVA - Established in 1985, this region produces Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling as well as Zinfandel, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese and Syrah
South Coast
South Coast AVA
Los Angeles County
Antelope Valley of the California High Desert AVA
Leona Valley AVA
Malibu-Newton Canyon AVA
Saddle Rock - Malibu AVA
Sierra Pelona Valley AVA
Riverside County
Cucamonga Valley AVA
Temecula Valley AVA
San Diego - San Diego County has deep viticulture roots dating back more than two centuries. Father Junipero Serra planted the state’s first wine grapes at the Mission San Diego d Alcalá in 1769. This county was one of the biggest producers of wine before Prohibition.
Ramona Valley AVA - Designated in 2006, this valley is 154 square miles and home to more than 30 wineries
San Pasqual Valley AVA
Other
Humbolt County
Willow Creek AVA
Siskiyou County
Seiad Valley AVA
Trinity County
Trinity Lakes AVA