Located in western Iowa and northwestern Missouri, the Loess Hills District AVA is a long, narrow north-south orientated swath of land covering 12,897 square miles along the Big Sioux and Missouri Rivers. The region is characterized by extremely deep layers of wind-deposited loess and rolling-to-steep hills. The loose soil allows vine roots to extend deep into the soil, and the hilly topography allows cold air to drain away from the vineyards, thus reducing the threat of frost.