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…

How the physical components of the terroir can differently intervene in French wines DPO definitions.Example of Côte de Nuits in Burgundy

European regulations describe what elements must be given in the specifications of DPO determination ; mainly production conditions, links between quality and products characteristics and the physical traits of the production area. These elements are given in the “link to terroir” paragraph relating natural and human factors, detailed product characteristics linked to the geographical area and at last interactions between product originality and the geographical area.

Read More

Soils, climate and vine management: their influence on Marlborough Sauvignon blanc wine style

Sauvignon blanc was first planted in Marlborough, New Zealand in the mid-1970s. Since that time, Marlborough has gained an international reputation by producing the definitive wine style of that grape variety.

Read More

Valorization of grape marc in a biorefinery loop for producing short- and medium-chain fatty acids, hydrogen, and methane, with polyphenol recovery

Global grape production amounts to approximately 70 million tons per year, with Europe contributing 61% of the world’s wine output, primarily from Italy, France, and Spain.

Read More

Use of UHPH to improve the implantation of non-Saccharomyces yeasts

Ultra High-Pressure Homogenization (UHPH) is a high-pressure pumping at 300 MPa (>200 MPa) with a subsequent depressurization against a highly resistant valve made of tungsten carbide covered by ceramic materials or carbon nanoparticles. The intense impact and shear efforts produce the nano-fragmentation of colloidal biopolymers including the elimination of microorganism (pasteurization or sterilization depending on in-valve temperature) and the inactivation of enzymes.

Read More

Climate change – variety change?

In Franconia, the northern part of Bavaria in Germany, climate change, visible in earlier bud break, advanced flowering and earlier grape maturity, leads to a decrease of traditionally cultivated early ripening aromatic white wine varieties as Mueller-Thurgau (30 % of the wine growing area) and Bacchus (12 %). With the predicted rise of temperature in all European wine regions the conditions for white wine grape varieties will decline and the grapes themselves will lose a part of their aromatic and fruity expression. Variety change towards the cultivation of later ripening white wine varieties is a very expensive and long-term process, and must be accompanied by special marketing efforts.

Read More