Ozark Highlands AVA

Ozark Highlands AVA is a since 31 August 1987, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives recognized wine region in the U.S. state of Missouri.

Location

The vineyards here are spread over areas in southern Missouri in the Ozark Mountains east of Jefferson City to the Eleven Point River in the south. The definition thus includes areas in the administrative units Phelps County, Maries County, Osage County, Gasconade County, Franklin County, Crawford County, Shannon County, Dent County, Texas, Reynolds County and Pulaski one.

The appellation is an enclave within the parent Ozark Mountain AVA. The area of the Ozark Highlands is drier than the surrounding area but the sandy loam soil has a good storage capacity for moisture. The first plantings of vines were created by Italian immigrants. The selection of varieties is not limited to indigenous selections but also include species from the families of Vitis vinifera, Vitis labrusca and French hybrid vines.