Dusty single-vineyard wine bottles on their side on a shelf

Understanding AVA: Reserve Wine

In the large swash of Europe, if a wine reads “Reserve” that actually means something definitive.  Each region has different laws, but as long as you are aware as a consumer, you know what you are getting in your bottle, at least from an ageing perspective. Minimum ageing…

Two vineyard workers harvesting wine grapes

Understanding AVA: Estate

“Estate Wine” & “Estate Bottled” – two terms that you will come across frequently in the wine world.  What do they mean exactly? Estate Wine: Estate wine is reflective of wine made from vineyard sites owned, managed, or controlled by a winery that all fall in the same appellation. …

Panorama of Howell Mountain, Napa Valley wine country in autumn. Sun and clouds at a Napa, California vineyard with mountains, valleys and lake.

Understanding AVA: 85% Rule

Sub-appellate wines are handled very much like appellate wines, with one more level of strictures.  The 85% rule. Where appellate wines need only be 75% of the stated varietal, 100% grown in the stated appellation, sub-appellate wines must be 85% of the stated varietal, 100% grown in the…

Napa Valley vineyard on a sunny day with clouds in the distant horizon

Understanding AVA: 75% Rule

It is commonplace to believe when you buy a Central Valley Cabernet or a Central Valley Zinfandel, that you are getting 100% Cabernet with 100% of the fruit from the Central Valley, or 100% Zinfandel 100% from the Central Valley.  Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Appellation…