导读 小气候就像葡萄酒中的亚 AVA，Erica Stancliff 谈到这些大气条件在葡萄栽培区 (AVA) 中的作用时说。Stancliff是加利福尼亚索诺玛山Trombetta Family Wines和Pfendler Vineyards的酿酒师，同时也是Petaluma Gap Winegrowers Alliance 的，他将小气候定义为“与周边地区具有独特气候差异的一小部分地区”。 小气候可能只影响几英亩，也可能跨越几平方英里。 影响小气候的环境因素包括与水体的接近程度、土壤类型、地理特征、海拔和海拔，以及温度和湿度。即使在一个葡萄园内，所有这些特征也会有所不同。
这不仅是酿酒师关于成熟度收获决定的一个重要考虑因素，而且这也是使一些小型酿酒区和葡萄园如此独特的原因，Stancliff 说。
Matt Davies, a winemaker in Santa Barbara, California, has a deep understanding of how microclimate affects different areas within his AVA. Just like in Sonoma County, Davies says the biggest factor is the distance from the ocean. Nearby vineyards feel the cold ocean air and fog.
In these two AVAs, a series of hills, valleys and plateaus makes the microclimate even more nuanced, with all these factors determining how much exposure to ocean influence or avoidance of it. For example, fog settles into valleys and creates cooler microclimates. Vineyards above the fog line are exposed to more sunlight during the day and experience higher temperatures but may experience more extreme diurnal variations due to elevation.
These details decide which varieties grow best where. "Sta Rita Hills gets our favorite thing we call cool-climate sun," Davies said. "It's very suitable for planting Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah." The Ballard Canyon [AVA]...[has] warm days and colder nights on limestone soils with sandstone and clay mixtures. Syrah and Bordeaux varieties grow best there."
Moving east towards Happy Canyon Valley grapevines face even more extreme diurnal changes that help maintain acidity for widely planted Bordeaux varieties.
"I hadn't considered Los Alamos at Sta Maria [and] Sta Maria Bench," Davies added in comments on many sub-districts within broader Santa Barbara County AVA each with its unique environmental conditions.
Stancliff collaborates with several vineyards in Sonoma County where Black Francine is one of the most widely planted varietals here grapes serve as case studies on how to break down wider AVA into specific environmental conditions.
"In some regions such as Russian River Valley black pinot noir's maturity speed will be slightly faster than surrounding coastal areas resulting in different flavor profiles & tannin ripeness levels," she said." In Petaluma Gap because growing season is long you'll see mature tannins develop alongside fresh acidity & rich color fruit characteristics that complement each other."
Wind plays an equally important role at Petaluma Gap AVA named after narrow gorges along coastal mountains that funnel cool sea breezes inland.
"[It] defines our microclimate," Stancliff said." Grapes' reaction forms thicker skins."
Thicker skins produce more color singletons flavor density in wine produced by this process." For everything we do in cellar important remember grape wines defined by thousands moments related life - wind sun roots depth certainly human intervention" Davies said." Terroir driven by countless such moments."
By carefully considering these various factors when selecting sites for their vines they can create unique blends reflecting distinct regional expressions while also ensuring consistency quality across their entire portfolio through blending techniques emphasizing site-specific nuances
The pursuit creating optimal balance between nature nurture reflects core philosophy guiding selection process ensuring highest standards craftsmanship excellence ultimately benefiting consumers who enjoy world-class wines crafted under guidance experienced hands
