Augusta AVA
| Wine region | |
| Type | American Viticultural Area |
|---|---|
| Year established | 1980 |
| Country | United States |
| Part of | Missouri |
| Other regions in Missouri | Hermann AVA, Loess Hills District AVA, Ozark Highlands AVA, Ozark Mountain AVA |
| Growing season | 188 days |
| Climate region | humid continental/humid subtropical |
| Precipitation (annual average) | 20+ inches (510+ mm) |
| Soil conditions | loess and glacial till |
| Total area | 15 sq mi (9,600 acres) |
| Grapes produced | Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chambourcin, Chardonel, Chardonnay, Couderc noir, Norton, Rayon d'Or, Seyval blanc, St. Vincent, Vidal blanc, Vignoles |
| No. of wineries | 4 |
Augusta is the nation's first American Viticultural Area (AVA) established on June 20, 1980, by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury after reviewing the petition submitted by Clayton W. Byer, president of Montelle Vineyards, and Lucian W. Dressel, president of Mount Pleasant Vineyards, on behalf of local vintners proposing a viticultural area along the north bank of the Missouri River named "Augusta." The wine appellation, historically known as the Missouri Rhineland, lies entirely within the state of Missouri encompassing 9,600 acres (15 sq mi) within St. Charles County surrounding the city of Augusta located approximately 40 miles (64 km) west of St. Louis. The nation's second appellation, Napa Valley was established eight months later in renown Napa County, California, made famous by their top-rated vintages in the iconic Paris Wine Tasting of 1976 wine competition. Augusta AVA is adjacent to the 35 million acres (55,000 sq mi) multi-state Ozark Mountain AVA, established in 1986, whose northern boundary outlines the southern bank of the Missouri River and expands south into northern Arkansas and northeastern Oklahoma.