导读 小气候就像葡萄酒中的亚 AVA，Erica Stancliff 将这些微妙的环境条件在特定的葡萄栽培区 (AVA) 中扮演的角色进行了阐述。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，她将小气候定义为“与周围地区具有独特气候差异的一小部分地区”。 这些小气候可能只影响几英亩，也可能跨越几平方英里。 影响它们的因素包括接近水体、土壤类型、地理结构、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。 “这不仅是酿酒师决定收获成熟度的一个重要考量，而且也是使一些小型酿酒区或葡萄园独一无二的原因。” Stancliff 说。

Matt Dickson, a winemaker in Santa Barbara, California, has a profound understanding of how small climate variations affect different regions within his AVA. Just like in Sonoma County, he says the biggest determining factor is proximity to the ocean. Nearby vineyards feel the cold ocean air and fog. In these two AVAs, the series of hills, valleys and plateaus makes for a more nuanced microclimate that determines whether grapevines are exposed to marine influences or not.

For example, fog settles in valleys creating cool microclimates. Vineyards above the fogline receive longer periods of sunlight during the day with higher temperatures but may experience more extreme diurnal temperature fluctuations due to elevation. These details determine which varieties grow best where.

"Sta Rita Hills gets something we call cool-cold sun," Dickson said. "It's very suitable for growing Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah." Ballard Canyon [AVA]......[has] warm days and much colder nights with limestone soils mixed with sand and clay. Syrah and Bordeaux varieties grow best there."

Moving further east towards Happy Canyon grapevines face more extreme diurnal changes helping maintain acidity for widely planted Bordeaux varieties.

"I didn't even consider Los Alamos; Sta Maria [and] Sta Maria bench," Dickson added when commenting on numerous sub-AVAs within broader Santa Barbara County AVA each with its own unique environmental conditions.

Stancliff collaborates with several vineyards in Sonoma County where Black Muscat is one of the most widely planted varieties - an example case study on how to break down a larger AVA into specific environmental conditions.

"In some areas like Russian River black muscat matures slightly faster than surrounding coastal areas resulting in different flavor profiles and tannin maturity levels," she said."In Petaluma Gap due to long growing season you'll see mature tannins develop alongside fresh acidity deep color rich fruit flavors."

Wind plays a crucial role at Petaluma Gap AVA named after cracks along coastal mountains that gather cool sea breeze inland.[It] defines our microclimate,” Stancliff said.”Grape skins form thicker skin on grapes.”

Thicker skins will produce more color single-layer concentration as well as flavor intensity in wine made from those grapes.

"For everything we do in our cellar it's important to remember that wine is defined by thousands upon thousands of moments related to grape life - wind sun depth roots —of course human intervention”Dickson said.”Terroir is driven by countless such moments.”