Terroir 2020 banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 Canopy microclimate vineyard variability in vineyards of the Lodi region of California, USA

Canopy microclimate vineyard variability in vineyards of the Lodi region of California, USA

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this project was to evaluate the microclimatic effects on objective measures of fruit quality within different vigour classes of multiple vineyards and to compare the results across the Lodi region of California, USA.

Methods and Results: In May 2019, small temperature sensors were installed in the fruit zones of 10 vineyards in the Lodi region of California. To assess differences in canopy temperature between high and low vigour areas, three sensors were installed in each vineyard, two in the fruit zone (high and low vigor) and one above the canopy (ambient control). Photosynthetically active radiation in the fruit zone was measured at veraison and harvest on 15 vines surrounding each sensor and compared with the temperature data. At harvest, two randomly selected clusters were collected from each of the 15 data vines, combined into one composite sample per temperature sensor, and analysed for individual objective measures of grape quality. Results showed large differences in fruit composition between vigour zones. Daytime temperatures were higher in low vigour zones and canopy light measurements were correlated with anthocyanins (R2 = 0.59), polymeric tannins (R2 = 0.55), malic acid (R2 = 0.48), and linalool (R2 = 0.76).  

Conclusions: 

The results showed large differences in fruit quality within vineyards which implies delivery of heterogenous fruit to wineries. Excessive differences in fruit quality could be ameliorated with appropriate canopy management tools geared towards increasing vineyard uniformity. 

Significance and Impact of the Study: Delivery of reliable fruit to wineries by vineyard managers and consistent wines by winemakers is challenging when harvesting large vineyards into single programs. These risks are highlighted by the above results which also provide further evidence for the need of differential management solutions in wine grape production. 

Download the PDF

DOI:

Publication date: March 17, 2021

Issue: Terroir 2020

Type: Video

Authors

B. Sams1,2*, R. Bramley3, L. Sanchez2, C. Bioni2, N. Dokoozlian2, and V. Pagay1

1School of Agriculture, Food, and Wine, University of Adelaide, Urrbrae, SA, Australia
2Department of Winegrowing Research, E&J Gallo Winery, Modesto, California, USA
3CSIRO, Waite Campus, Urrbrae, SA, Australia

Contact the author

Keywords

Canopy microclimate, objective measures of fruit quality, vineyard variability

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Terroir 2020

Citation

Related articles…

Ability of lactic acid bacterial laccases to degrade biogenic amines and OTA in wine

Two of the most harmful microbial metabolites for human health that can be present in wines and either fermented or raw foods are biogenic amines (BA) and ochratoxine A (OTA). Winemakers are aware of the need to avoid their presence in wine by using different strategies, one of them is the use of enzymes. Some recombinant laccases have been characterized and revealed as potential tools to degrade these toxic compounds in wine[1], specifically biogenic amines[2].

Read More

Use of satellite in precision viticulture: the Franciacorta experience

Today, the concept of precision vine management (or site-specific viticulture) has a great relevance. It is based on the practice of a different management in relation to the different features of the crop site. In this way, all practices should be adapted to the land spatial variability and should be linked to the real needs of vines.

Read More

Application to the wine sector of European Convention on the landscapes

The landscape is defined by the European convention of the landscape (Florence, October 20, 2000) like part of the territory as perceived by the populations, whose character results from the action of natural and/or human factors and their interrelationships. This convention is based on the contribution cultural, ecological, environmental, social of the landscapes and aims at a reinforcement of the tools of protection and valorization in particular in the agricultural policies, of regional planning and town planning. Moreover, it encourages a step of identification and qualification of the landscapes and underlines the need for developing the sensitizing and the training of the actors concerned.

Read More

Using open source software in viticultural research

Many high quality Open Source scientific applications have been available for a long time. Some of them have proved to be particularly useful for carrying out the usual activities involved in viticultural research projects, such as statistical analyses (including spatial analyses), GIS work, database management (possibly integrated with statistical and spatial analysis) and even “low-level” often highly time-consuming activities (e.g. repetitive task on text files).

Read More

Organic Oregon: an emerging experience in terroir tourism

Emerging from anthropology, climatology, ecology, gastronomy, geography and wine tourism, terroir tourism has been recently recognized to have potential for developing rural agriculture tourism

Read More