The Haw River Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA) officially became the third federally granted appellation in North Carolina on April 29, 2009, joining the Yadkin Valley AVA and the Swan Creek AVA inside the Yadkin Valley. The Haw River Valley AVA covers the northern, central portion of the state with approximately 868 sq. miles (555,508 acres). It encompasses Alamance County and portions of Caswell, Chatham, Guilford, Orange, and Rockingham counties.