The name "Catoctin" comes from the Algonquin Indian word for "speckled rock", a geologic feature which is abundant throughout this viticultural zone in the mountainous western part of Maryland. Of the 170,000 acres that comprise the appellation – which overlaps parts of Frederick and Washington counties -- just a small portion is planted to grapes. Small vineyards are scattered across the viticultural area, which is bordered by the Pennsylvania-Maryland state line in the north, the Potomac River in the south, Catoctin Mountain to the east, and South Mountain to the west. The region is fairly warm, with an average annual rainfall of 36-42 inches, slightly less than surrounding areas outside the AVA’s boundaries. Two decades after its approval as an AVA, and with just a single winery calling it home, Catoctin’s name recognition is so limited that even the wines from within the region are marketed under the ‘Maryland’ state appellation rather than the AVA name.