Anthropogenic intervention in shaping Terroir in a California Pinot noir vineyard

Abstract

In many vineyards optimal parcel size exceeds the geospatial complexity that exists in soils and topographic features that influence hydrological properties, sunlight interception and soil depth and texture (available water capacity). A premise of precision management is that such variation can be lessened, but the practices that would be used to achieve this have not been subjected to rigorous scientific evaluation. During 2004-2006 we examined spatial heterogeneity of soils and topographical features and related them to yield, industrial quality (soluble solids content, titratable acidity and pH), vine water status (predawn, ψPD, and midday, ψL, leaf water potential) and vigor (pruning weights), in an extremely complex hillside vineyard that had undergone terraforming as a means of increasing planted hectares and diminishing soils variation. Factor analysis was used to identify latent variables used in a multiple linear regression model with least squares estimation to identify correlations among soil and topographic factors, vine physiology and industrial quality parameters. Our results indicated that overall vine water status (ψPD and ψL) had the largest influence on within vineyard variation on an interannual basis, and that extreme spatial heterogeneity was evident in this vineyard in spite of terraforming efforts.

DOI:

Publication date: December 8, 2021

Issue: Terroir 2008

Type : Article

Authors

David R. SMART (1), Alison BREAZEALE (1), Joshua VIERS (2), Dr. Richard PLANT (3)

(1) Department of Viticulture & Enology, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis CA 95616
(2) Department of Environmental Science & Policy, University of California, One Shields Avenue Davis CA 95616
(3) Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis CA 95616

Contact the author

Keywords

Complex slopes, ripening uniformity, precision viticulture, water potential, terraforming

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Terroir 2008

Citation

Related articles…

Sugar accumulation disorder Berry Shrivel – from current knowledge towards novel hypothesis

In contrast to fruit and grape berry ripening, the biological processes causing ripening disorders are often much less understood, although shriveling disorders of fruits are manifold and contribute to yield losses and reduced fruit quality worldwide. Shrinking berries are a common feature for all shriveling disorders in grapevine although their timing of appearance during the berry ripening process and their underlying induction processes distinct them from each other. The sugar accumulation disorder Berry Shrivel (BS) is characterized by a suppression of sugar accumulation short after veraison resulting in berries low in sugar content and anthocyanins in berry skins, while the organic acid content is similar. Recent studies analyzed the biochemical, morphological and molecular processes affected in BS berries and linked early changes to the period of ripening onset [1,2].

Relationships between vine isohydricity and changes of fruit growth and metabolism during water deficit

The frequency of water deficits is increasing in many grape-growing regions due to climate change.

Effect of post-harvest ozone treatments on the skin phenolic composition and extractability of red winegrapes cv Nebbiolo and Barbera

Wine industry is looking forward for innovative, safe and eco-friendly antimicrobial products allowing the reduction of chemical treatments in the grape defense and the winemaking process that can affect negatively the quality of the product. Ozone has been tested in food industry giving good results in preventing fungi and bacteria growth on a wide spectrum of vegetables and fruits, due to its oxidant activity and ability to attack numerous cellular constituents. Ozone leaves no chemical residues on the food surface, decomposing itself rapidly in oxygen. Gaseous ozone has been already tested for table grapes storage and on wine grapes during withering.

Wine yeast species show strong inter- and intra-specific variability in their sensitivity to uv-c radiation

While the trend in winemaking is toward reducing the inputs and especially sulphites, the development of While the trend in winemaking is toward reducing the inputs

Exploring aromatic profiles and environmental influences on berry chemistry of V. vinifera Riesling and Vitis sp. L’Acadie blanc in Quebec and Nova Scotia, Canada

Wine quality depends on grape biochemical constituents, including sugars, organic acids, amino acids, and bound and free aroma compounds, which are influenced by vineyard location and environmental factors such as temperature and precipitation [1].