The states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island combined have four American Viticultural Areas (AVAs):
Eastern Connecticut Highlands (Connecticut)
Western Connecticut Highlands (Connecticut)
Southeastern New England (Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island)
Martha's Vineyard (Massachusetts)
AVAs are delimited wine growing areas in the United States administered under the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, U.S. Department of the Treasury. Think of AVAs in the U.S. as appellations are in other countries, for example appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) in France. In order for an AVA name to appear on a U.S. wine label, no less than 85% of the wine's volume must come from grapes that were sourced from within the AVA's boundaries.
