| has gloss | eng: The Augusta AVA was the first federally approved American Viticultural Area gaining the status on June 20, 1980 , eight months before the Napa Valley AVA in northern California. Located entirely within the state of Missouri, the boundaries of this wine region encompass around the city of Augusta near the intersection of St. Charles County, Warren County and Franklin County. Flooding in the Missouri River valley cause the river to change course in 1872, drying up the areas riverboat landing and leaving a distinct soil type in the area between the town and the river. The areas early vineyards were planted in the 1880s and the area began receiving recognition for the distinctive flavors and profile of the wine being produced there. In the later parts of the 19th and early 20th century, the production volume from the area helped the Missouri wine industry compete with Ohio for market share east of the Rocky Mountains. The advent of Prohibition had a dramatic effect on the area causing the closure of local wineries and the uprooting of vineyards. A revival period occurred in the 1960s that lead to the founding of many of the area's current wineries. |
