Appalachian High Country AVA
| Wine region | |
| Type | American Viticultural Area |
|---|---|
| Year established | 2016 |
| Country | United States |
| Part of | North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia |
| Other regions in North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia | Crest of the Blue Ridge Henderson County AVA, Rocky Knob AVA, Swan Creek AVA, Upper Hiwassee Highlands AVA, Yadkin Valley AVA |
| Growing season | 139.2 days |
| Climate region | Regions I-V |
| Heat units | 61.3 °F (16.3 °C) |
| Precipitation (annual average) | 48.6 in (1,234.4 mm) |
| Soil conditions | Tusquitee-Edneyville series; Granite and gneiss with fine loam |
| Total area | 2,400 sq mi (1,536,000 acres) |
| No. of vineyards | 20 |
| Grapes produced | Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Frontenac, Marechal Foch, Marquette, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Seyval Blanc, Traminette, Vidal Blanc and Viognier |
| No. of wineries | 10 |
Appalachian High Country is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located mainly in North Carolina with sections in Tennessee and Virginia. The approximately 2,400 square miles (1,536,000 acres) 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. 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."
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.