Altus AVA
| Wine region | |
| Type | American Viticultural Area |
|---|---|
| Year established | 1984 |
| Years of wine industry | 146 |
| Country | United States |
| Part of | Arkansas, Ozark Mountain AVA, Arkansas Mountain AVA |
| Growing season | 213+ days |
| Climate region | Humid subtropical |
| Precipitation (annual average) | 45 in (1,100 mm) |
| Soil conditions | fine to gravelly in texture, sandy to silty loam, and slightly to strongly acidic |
| Total area | 12,000–13,000 acres (19–20 sq mi) |
| Size of planted vineyards | 800 acres (320 ha) |
| Grapes produced | Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Kerner, Müller-Thurgau, Muscadine, Niagara, Oraniensteiner, Scheurebe, Vignoles |
| No. of wineries | 5 |
Altus is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in the Arkansas River Valley in Arkansas near the town of Altus in Franklin County. It was established on May 30, 1984, by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury after reviewing the petition submitted by Mr. Matthew J. Post, of the Post Winery, on behalf of himself and local vintners, proposing a viticultural area to be named "Altus." The 12,000–13,000 acres (19–20 sq mi) wine appellation is entirely within the Arkansas Mountain AVA, which is also entirely within the larger multi-state Ozark Mountain AVA.
The soils are fine to gravelly in texture, sandy to silty loam, and slightly to strongly acidic. These types of soil are particularly suited to viticulture. As of 2008, five wineries in the area produce nearly 1 million US gallons (3,800,000 L) of wine per year.