Climate of the Santa Lucia
Highlands
Mark Greenspan, Ph.D.
Viticulturist
Advanced Viticulture, LLC
Climate as terroir
►
Climate versus weather…
Climate is what we expect; weather is what
we get.
Mark Twain
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Climate as terroir
Psychology
Climate
Vineyard Design
Soil
Cultural Practices
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Important Climatic Parameters
Precipitation
► Sunshine
► Fog
► Wind
► Temperature
►
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Precipitation
Monthly Precipitation
12
Burgundy, France (28 total in.)
Russian River (42 total in.)
Santa Lucia Highlands (13 total in.)
Santa Maria (13 total in.)
Santa Rita Hills (13 total in.)
Willamette Valley, OR (39 total in.)
Monthly Rainfall (inches)
10
8
6
4
2
0
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
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Fog
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Temperature
Vine and fruit development are tightly
linked to temperature
► Fruit development and composition at
harvest are strongly affected by
temperature
►
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Aspects of Temperature
Heat summations (degree days)
► Maxima / Minima
► Extremes (especially high)
► Diurnal temperatures
►
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Heat Summations
Growing Season Heat Summation (Degree Days)
3000
2580
2420
Heat Summation (Degree Days F)
2500
2000
2286
2201
1982
1924
1500
1000
500
0
Burgundy,
France
Russian River
Santa Lucia
Highlands
Santa Maria
Santa Rita Hills
Willamette
Valley, OR
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Heat Summations
Monthly Heat Summation (Degree Days)
600
Heat Summation (Degree Days F)
500
Burgundy, France
Russian River
Santa Lucia Highlands
Santa Maria
Santa Rita Hills
Willamette Valley, OR
400
300
200
100
0
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
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High / Low Temperatures during Ripening
Average Daily Temperature Max/Min during September
85
80
Temperature (°F)
75
70
65
60
55
50
45
40
Burgundy,
France
Russian River
Santa Lucia
Highlands
Santa Maria
Santa Rita
Hills
Willamette
Valley, OR
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Berry Ripening: Two distinct processes
►
Sugar Accumulation
ƒ
►
Function of photosynthesis, leaf area, water
status, crop load, weather (light and temp.)
“Flavor” Ripening
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
Flavor and aroma precursors
Tannin
Anthocyanin
Acids, pH
Cell wall breakdown - pectins
Function of berry temperature, primarily
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Diurnal Temperature during Ripening
Average Diurnal Temperature Curve during Ripening
85
80
Temperature (°F)
75
70
65
60
55
Santa Lucia Highlands - ΔT = 18°F
Gonzales - ΔT = 22°F
50
Santa Rita Hills - ΔT = 26°F
Santa Maria - ΔT = 25°F
45
Russian River - ΔT = 33°F
40
0:00
4:00
8:00
12:00
16:00
20:00
24:00
Time of Day
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Importance of Night Temperatures
Comparison of Fruit Ripening Processes in Contrasting Climates
100
Warm Climate
Cool Climate
Sugar Accumulation
Ripening
Temperature (Deg. F)
90
80
70
Sugar Accumulation
60
Ripening
50
40
0
4
8
12
16
20
24
Hour
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Position and Elevation affect Climatic Terroir
of SLH
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Climatic Characteristics of SLH
►
►
►
►
►
►
Moderate daytime temperatures with cool, not
cold, night temperatures
Lack of extreme temperature events
Fog moderates temperatures
Wind moderates temperatures and inhibits
sugar accumulation
Arid climate with ample water supply for
irrigation
A unique climate perfectly suited for Pinot Noir
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Mark Greenspan, Ph.D.
Advanced Viticulture, LLC
[email protected]
www.AdvancedVit.com