| Successful viticulture matches the right grape variety to the right environment. Climate, soil, terrain, and exposure are important. American viticultural areas (AVA) were developed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (BATF) to regulate geographic names on wine labels. Though environmental features help establish viticultural areas, boundaries of appellations seldom follow geographic attributes. The Russian River Valley AVA has petitioned BATF to expand southward. This AVA is known for its cool climate, production of pinot noir, and soils conducive to viticulture. Study of the climate, soil, terrain, viticultural reputation, and varieties present indicates this appellation is justified in changing its boundaries to areas that better match the appellation's reputed attributes. A more environmentally accurate reformation would eliminate areas from the present AVA and create up to five new appellations in place of one. Five appellations would best represent the diversity of the environment but may be impractical to develop. |
