Temperature variations in the Walla Walla valley American Viticultural Area

Abstract

Variations in average growing season and ripening season temperatures within the Walla Walla Valley American Viticultural Area are related to elevation and regional and local topography. Downstream narrowing of the Walla Walla Valley creates a nocturnal cold air pool that is more pronounced during the August to October ripening season. Average growing season temperatures are generally higher and growing degree-days greater at lower elevations. Average temperatures increase with elevation to 450 m during the ripening season as temperature inversions become more pronounced and persistent. Cool air descending from the Blue Mountains lowers average growing and ripening season temperatures at sites near major streams. Adiabatic warming of down-sloping prevailing winds increases average growing season and ripening season temperatures near the base of Vansycle Ridge. Grapevines planted below 300 m have a much greater risk of damage from frosts and freezes. Variations in vineyard ground surface materials have no apparent effect on ambient air temperatures as measured by radiation shielded data loggers at a height of 1.5 m

DOI:

Publication date: December 8, 2021

Issue: Terroir 2008

Type : Article

Authors

Kevin R. POGUE and Gregory M. DERING

Department of Geology, Whitman College, Walla Walla, WA 99362 USA

Contact the author

Keywords

Walla Walla Valley, temperature, elevation, topography, growing degree-day

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Terroir 2008

Citation

Related articles…

Managing Grapevine Powdery Mildew with Ultraviolet-C Light in Washington State

Germicidal ultraviolet-C (UV-C) light has shown promising results for suppression of several plant-pathogenic microorganims, including Erysiphe necator, which attacks grapevine. In Washington State the majority of winegrape production is in a semi-arid steppe environment, with historically low powdery mildew disease pressure, making it a promising area to deploy UV-C as a disease management tool. Trials focusing on UVC application timing and frequency will assist in developing regionally-appropriate application recommendations for eastern Washington State.

Amyndeon‐naoussa: the two faces of Xinomavro

Xinomavro is the most important indigenous red wine variety grown in Northern Greece. It participates in the production of several PGI wines in Macedonia while from 100% Xinomavro the PDO “Amyndeon” and “Naoussa” are produced. The viticultural area of Amyndeon lies in a plateau of 550 ‐700 m of altitude, in a semi‐continental climate with mostly deep sandy loamy soils derived from limestone and marl bedrocks while in Naoussa, Xinomavro is grown in a Mediterranean climate on more heavy textured soils, sandy clay loam to clay, derived from ophiolithic, limestone and marl bedrocks, in an altitude which varies from 150 to 400 m. Different soil, climate and viticultural technique interactions, result in great variability with respect to morphological, ampelographical and physiological characters of Xinomavro as well as in the characteristics of the wines produced. 

Prospects for enlarging of microzone Manavi in the East Georgia

The experimental studies conducted in the eastern Georgia in Sagarejo administrative district on the foothills of the southern slope of Tsiv-Gombori range reveal the possibility of enlarging Manavi traditional specific zone to the north-west (from Giorgitsminda to Khashmi), at 500-750 m above sea level.

Impact of harvest date on the terroir expression and the aroma profile of Touraine Sauvignon wines

L’objectif d’une étude sur trois années vise, pour des terroirs différents et connus pour le profil des vins qui en sont issus, à exploiter au mieux le potentiel des raisins en optimisant la date de récolte ; pour chacun des trois terroirs, les minivinifications sont réalisées à partir de trois dates de récolte . Il s’avère, grâce à un suivi analytique important (sol, précurseurs et arômes) et une caractérisation organoleptique bien encadrée (analyse sensorielle pertinente et objective), que le choix de la date de récolte, en fonction du terroir, a une incidence sur le profil du vin et devient un outil pour l’élaborateur.

What metabolomics teaches us about wine shelf life

The metabolomics era started about 22 years ago, and wine was one of the first foodstuff subjects of analysis and investigation by this technique.