| Appalachian High Country | |
| Type: | American Viticultural Area |
| Year: | 2016[1] |
| Country: | United States |
| Part Of: | North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia |
| Similar: | Crest of the Blue Ridge Henderson County AVA, Rocky Knob AVA, Swan Creek AVA, Upper Hiwassee Highlands AVA, Yadkin Valley AVA |
| Season: | 139.2 days |
| Climate Region: | Regions I-V[2] |
| Heat Units: | 61.3F |
| Precipitation: | 48.61NaN1 |
| Soil: | Tusquitee-Edneyville series; Granite and gneiss with fine loam |
| Total Size: | 24000NaN0 |
| Vineyards: | 20[3] |
| Grapes: | Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Frontenac, Marechal Foch, Marquette, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Seyval Blanc, Traminette, Vidal Blanc and Viognier[4] |
| Wineries: | 10 |
Appalachian High Country is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located mainly in North Carolina with sections in Tennessee and Virginia. The approximately 2400sqmi viticultural area encompasses all or portions of the following counties: Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Mitchell, and Watauga Counties in North Carolina; Carter County and Johnson Counties in Tennessee; and Grayson County in Virginia.[1] The appellation was recognized on February 28, 2016 by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), Treasury as the country's 239th, North Carolina's 5th, Tennessee's 2nd and Virginia's 8th AVA after reviewing the petition from Johnnie James, owner of Bethel Valley Farms, on behalf of members of the High Country Wine Growers Association, proposing the establishment of the viticultural area named "Appalachian High Country."[5]
The establishment of the Appalachian High Country AVA does not affect any existing AVA and will allow vintners to use ‘‘Appalachian High Country’’ as an appellation of origin for wines made primarily from grapes grown within the Appalachian High Country AVA if the wines meet the eligibility TTB requirements for the appellation.[1]
The topography of the Appalachian High Country AVA, is located within the Appalachian Mountains, is characterized by high elevations and steep slopes. Elevations within theAVA range from 1338feet to over 6000feet with most vineyards planted at elevations between 2290feetand(-)4630feetft (and(-)ft). The high elevations exposevineyards to high amounts of solar irradiance, which promotes grape maturation andcompensates for low temperatures and a short growing season. The average slope angle within the AVA is 35.9 degrees, and most vineyards are planted on slopes with angles of 30 degrees orgreater. Because of the steep slopes, many of the vineyards within the AVA are terraced to prevent erosion and vineyard work is performed manually rather than with machinery. The regions surrounding the AVA all have lower average elevations as well as smaller averageslope angles, except for the region to the southwest, which has a slightly greater average slope angle.[2]
Appalachian High Country is characterized by a cool climate and a short growing season. The average annual temperature within the area is 51.5F. The AVA accumulates an average of 2,635 growing degree days (GDD) during the growing season, which is approximately 139.2 days long. Because of the cool climate and short growing season, the region is suitable for growing cold-hardy grape varietals such as Marquette, Vidal Blanc, and Frontenac, which do not have a lengthy maturation time. By contrast, the regions surrounding the AVA have warmer temperatures, longer growing seasons, and higher growing degree accumulations, making these regions more suitable for growing grape varietals that require warmer temperatures and a longer maturation time.[2]
The soils of Appalachian High Country are derived from igneous and metamorphic rocks such as granite and gneiss. All of the common soil series within the AVA are described as deep, well-drained soils with a fine, loamy texture. The well-drained soils help reduce the risk of rot and fungus in the grapevines. Organic matter comprises up to 14 percent of the soils within the AVA, providing an excellent source of nutrients for vineyards. The most prevalent soil series is the Tusquitee-Edneyville, which covers approximately 24 percent of the AVA. By contrast, in the surrounding regions, other soil series are more prominent. To the northeast of the AVA, the Hayesville series is the most common soil series, and the Frederick–Carbo soil series is most commonly found in the region northwest of the AVA. Southeast of the AVA, the dominant soil series is the Hiwassee-Cecil association, and the Chester–Ashe series is the most common soil series to the southwest of the AVA.[1]