The role of Wine Exposure in Grape Growing
Like rain, wind moderates warm and cool temperatures in the vineyard. It will cool temperatures on a warm summer day, but will warm temperatures on a cold spring morning.
Because most of the regions in California Wine Country are quite warm during most of the year, wind usually cools temperatures. This slows down the maturation process of grapes. Moderate wind is good, but too much will stop the metabolic processes in grapevines.
Wind can help prevent humidity, mildew and other mold. Vineyard managers can prune the leaves right around grape bunches to increase wind exposure. Grapevines grown on hillsides and slopes are usually exposed to more wind.
Some California Wineries have wind machines to reduce humidity and warm the vines during spring frosts. On cold mornings, they heat the air a critical few degrees to prevent damage.
The Carneros AVA is famous for its cooling winds from the San Pablo Bay. The region is actually quite warm, but the windy conditions allow cool weather varietals to thrive here. The Sonoma side of Carneros is particularly flat and windy.
> Related Articles