What is an ‘AVA’ and does it impact wine labeling?

Winemakers are likely very familiar with the term “AVA”: it stands for “American Viticultural Area” and plays into the ways vintages advertise themselves on wine labels. An AVA is a way to be more specific about where a wine’s grapes come from by referring to distinctions from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau.

This factors into another design element, the Appellation of Origin, which can feature information on the country and or state of harvest to better educate consumers. While wineries may have some leniency in how they explain this on their packaging, any wine that claims to be “estate bottled” has to list an AVA, according to the TTB’s website.

Adding to the considerations are state-specific rules. The Napa Valley Vintners website notes that a California appellation isn’t allowed unless all of the grapes used are of California origin. However, it’s not required for the producer to name the actual vineyard where the grapes were grown. The source says that a winery may choose to do this because it “believes the property produces an unusually high-quality grape.”

When a new AVA gets approval, it could therefore change the way a specific brand is labeled on the bottle. The name itself could also include several individual vineyards, requiring clarity on the part of the company. It’s one more reason these businesses should choose a color label printer they feel comfortable with before designing their new materials.

Whether for wine or other food and beverage labels, the Primera LX900 Color Label Printer is a high-quality choice for conveying the best aspects of a vintage. Using this system, businesses can make labels that pack all of the necessary information in and help buyers easily figure out which beverage is best.