Rocky Knob AVA
Encyclopedia
The Rocky Knob AVA is an American Viticultural Area
in a mountainous area east of the Blue Ridge Parkway
in southwest Virginia. The AVA includes portions of Floyd
and Patrick
counties. The area is located on the eastern slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains
near the towns of Woolwine
and Meadows of Dan
and astride the Blue Ridge Parkway
. It was established in 1983 and encompasses 9000 acres (36.4 km²). The soil
is primarily loam
and gravel
and is well-drained. Rocky Knob AVA was named for the eponymously named mountainous recreational area located within the AVA.
s in the Rocky Knob AVA range from 1600 feet (487.7 m) to 3574 feet (1,089.4 m) above sea level. Strong winds at these elevations help protect grapes from fungus
and mildew
conditions. The average rainfall is 43.1 inches (1,094.7 mm) per year.
American Viticultural Area
An American Viticultural Area is a designated wine grape-growing region in the United States distinguishable by geographic features, with boundaries defined by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau , United States Department of the Treasury....
in a mountainous area east of the Blue Ridge Parkway
Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway is a National Parkway and All-American Road in the United States, noted for its scenic beauty. It runs for 469 miles , mostly along the famous Blue Ridge, a major mountain chain that is part of the Appalachian Mountains...
in southwest Virginia. The AVA includes portions of Floyd
Floyd County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 13,874 people, 5,791 households, and 4,157 families residing in the county. The population density was 36 people per square mile . There were 6,763 housing units at an average density of 18 per square mile...
and Patrick
Patrick County, Virginia
Patrick County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of 2010, the population was 18,490. Its county seat is Stuart. It is located within both the rolling hills and valleys of the Piedmont Region of Virginia and mountainous Southwest Virginia....
counties. The area is located on the eastern slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains
Blue Ridge Mountains
The Blue Ridge Mountains are a physiographic province of the larger Appalachian Mountains range. This province consists of northern and southern physiographic regions, which divide near the Roanoke River gap. The mountain range is located in the eastern United States, starting at its southern-most...
near the towns of Woolwine
Woolwine, Virginia
Woolwine is an unincorporated community in northern Patrick County, Virginia, United States. The western terminus of State Route 40 is here, at State Route 8. The community lies in the Rocky Knob American Viticultural Area...
and Meadows of Dan
Meadows of Dan, Virginia
Meadows of Dan is an unincorporated community in Patrick County, Virginia, United States, where the Blue Ridge Parkway crosses U.S. Route 58 . There are numerous country shops, classic houses, and restaurants in the community...
and astride the Blue Ridge Parkway
Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway is a National Parkway and All-American Road in the United States, noted for its scenic beauty. It runs for 469 miles , mostly along the famous Blue Ridge, a major mountain chain that is part of the Appalachian Mountains...
. It was established in 1983 and encompasses 9000 acres (36.4 km²). The soil
Soil
Soil is a natural body consisting of layers of mineral constituents of variable thicknesses, which differ from the parent materials in their morphological, physical, chemical, and mineralogical characteristics...
is primarily loam
Loam
Loam is soil composed of sand, silt, and clay in relatively even concentration . Loam soils generally contain more nutrients and humus than sandy soils, have better infiltration and drainage than silty soils, and are easier to till than clay soils...
and gravel
Gravel
Gravel is composed of unconsolidated rock fragments that have a general particle size range and include size classes from granule- to boulder-sized fragments. Gravel can be sub-categorized into granule and cobble...
and is well-drained. Rocky Knob AVA was named for the eponymously named mountainous recreational area located within the AVA.
Climate
The elevationElevation
The elevation of a geographic location is its height above a fixed reference point, most commonly a reference geoid, a mathematical model of the Earth's sea level as an equipotential gravitational surface ....
s in the Rocky Knob AVA range from 1600 feet (487.7 m) to 3574 feet (1,089.4 m) above sea level. Strong winds at these elevations help protect grapes from fungus
Fungus
A fungus is a member of a large group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds , as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as a kingdom, Fungi, which is separate from plants, animals, and bacteria...
and mildew
Mildew
Mildew refers to certain kinds of molds or fungi.In Old English, it meant honeydew , and later came to mean mildew in the modern sense of mold or fungus....
conditions. The average rainfall is 43.1 inches (1,094.7 mm) per year.