We are an online publication that provides:

• a comprehensive source of information on North American wines and wineries
• third-party evaluation of wines, through our unique Best-of-Appellation program
• a large archive of feature articles by some of the best wine writers of the U.S. and Canada
• the ability to buy wines directly from wineries in our Direct-Marketing Program

We celebrate the diversity in wine that arises from each distinctive wine growing area — or appellation — and we are the driving force of a movement to identify the defining characteristics of North America's appellations.

In addition to wine articles, Best-of-Appellation results and editors' wine picks, we offer reference information on:

• every winery in North America (updated continually)
• every grape varietal
• all North American appellations

We also provide a direct pathway to the online stores of wineries that participate in our Direct-Marketing Partnership program. (Interested wineries may join here.)

In the global wine culture, wines are known first by their specific place of origin (appellation), then by producer and grape variety. In North American wine culture, appellation identity and consciousness has been the great unfinished business. With over 300 officially designated wine-growing regions in North America, few appellations have garnered sufficient public recognition. Now, with our efforts, that is changing.

In our Best-of-Appellation program, a panel of wine experts evaluates wines on an appellation-by-appellation basis to objectively assess and define the characteristics of each appellation. We are compiling this information into a "Blue Book" on appellation characteristics that will be continually updated and refined as we evaluate new wines. Wines considered to best represent an appellation are elevated to "Best-of-Appellation" Gold and Double Gold status. Our evaluations also produce Tasting Notes for each BOA-evaluated wine and these (which are great reading, by the way!) can be seen on our wine lists.

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However, on request, the Managing Editor generally grants permission for NON-Commercial reproduction of content and graphics in excess of "fair use" measures, with appropriate attribution. Commercial use (via linking) or reproduction in any form associated with a commercial venture, either directly or indirectly, is strictly prohibited, unless transacted under license.