导读 小气候就像葡萄酒中的亚 AVA，Erica Stancliff 将其视为在葡萄栽培区 (AVA) 中大气条件作用的微小表现。作为加利福尼亚索诺玛山Trombetta Family Wines和Pfendler Vineyards的酿酒师，以及Petaluma Gap Winegrowers Alliance 的成员，Stancliff 定义了小气候为“与周边地区具有独特气候差异的一小部分地区”。这些环境差异可能只影响几英亩，也可能跨越几平方英里。影响小气候的因素包括与水体接近程度、土壤类型、地理特征、海拔以及温度和湿度，即使是在一个葡萄园内，这些因素也会有所不同。“这不仅是酿酒师关于成熟度收获决定的重要考虑因素，而且也是使一些小型酿酒区和葡萄园如此独特的原因，”Stancliff 说。
Matt DiStefano, a winemaker in Santa Barbara, California, has a deep understanding of how small climate variations affect different regions within his AVA. In Sonoma County, the biggest factor is the distance from the ocean. Nearby vineyards feel the cold ocean air and fog. The series of hills, valleys, and plateaus in these two AVAs make microclimates even more subtle, determining whether vineyards are exposed to ocean influences or not.
For example, fog settles into valleys creating cooler microclimates. Vineyards above the fog line are exposed to sunlight for longer periods during the day with higher temperatures but experience more dramatic diurnal temperature fluctuations due to altitude.
These details determine which varieties grow best where. "We got what we like to call cool-climate sunshine," DiStefano says. "It's very suitable for planting Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah." Barbadette Valley [AVA] ... ... [has] warm days and colder nights with limestone soils mixed with sand and clay. Syrah and Bordeaux varieties grow best there."
Moving east towards Happy Canyon Vineyard grapevines face more extreme diurnal temperature fluctuations that help maintain acidity for widely planted Bordeaux varieties.
"I didn't even consider Los Alamos," DiStefano adds in his commentary on numerous sub-appellations within broader Santa Barbara County AVA each with its unique environmental conditions.
Stancliff collaborates with several vineyards in Sonoma County where Black Pinot Noir is one of the most widely planted varieties - an example case study of how broad AVA can be broken down into specific environmental conditions.
"In some areas such as Russian River," she says about Black Pinot Noir maturation speed being faster than surrounding coastal areas resulting in different flavor profiles and tannin maturity levels." In Petaluma Gap due to its long growing season you will see mature tannins develop alongside fresh acidity and deep color & ripe fruit flavors matching together."
Wind plays a crucial role at Petaluma Gap AVA named after inland gaps through coastal mountains gathering cool sea winds inland "[it] defines our microclimate", Stancliff said."Grape skin response forms thicker skins". Thicker skins produce more color singletons & concentration flavors in wine produced from those grapes
"For everything we do in our cellar it's important to remember that wine is defined by thousands of moments related to grape life — wind sun root depth...and human intervention" DiStefano said; "Terroir is driven by countless such moments".
The article explores how small climate variations impact various regions within an American Viticultural Area (AVA), using Erica Stancliff's insights as a winemaker working with Trombetta Family Wines & Pfendler Vineyards along with her work at Petaluma Gap Winegrowers Alliance , highlighting regional differences across Sonoma County; Matt DiStefano discussing factors affecting growth patterns among different varietals within Santa Barbara County; focusing on environmental factors including proximity water bodies soil types geography elevation temperature humidity etc., emphasizing terroir-driven wines reflecting local environment distinctiveness
