导读，正如Erica Stancliff所言，小气候就像葡萄酒产区（AVAs）中的一个亚AV。Stancliff，既是加利福尼亚索诺玛山Trombetta Family Wines和Pfendler Vineyards的酿酒师，也是Petaluma Gap Winegrowers Alliance的成员，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”。这些环境因素包括接近水体的距离、土壤类型、地理特征、海拔高度以及温度和湿度，即使在同一葡萄园内，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，”斯坦克利夫说。Matt Davis, a winemaker in Santa Barbara, California, has a deep understanding of how small climate variations affect the different regions within his AVA. In Sonoma County, Davis notes that the biggest determining factor is the distance from the ocean. Nearby vineyards feel cooler ocean air and fog.
In these two AVAs, the series of hills, valleys and plateaus make for a more subtle microclimate. All these factors determine how much exposure to marine influence or exemption from it each vineyard receives. For example, fog settles in valleys creating cool microclimates. Vineyards above the fog line are exposed to sunlight longer during the day with higher temperatures but may experience more extreme diurnal changes due to elevation.
These details decide which varieties grow best where. "Sta Rita Hills gets what we like to call 'cool-cold sun'," Davis says. "It's very suitable for planting Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah." Ballard Canyon [AVA]...[has] warm days and colder nights with limestone soil containing sand and clay; Syrah and Bordeaux varieties grow best there."
Further east towards Happy Canyon, grapevines face more extreme diurnal changes which help maintain acidity in widely planted Bordeaux varieties.
"I didn't even consider Los Alamos," Davis adds about the broader Santa Barbara County AVA with numerous sub-AVAs each having its own unique environmental conditions.
Stancliff collaborates with several vineyards in Sonoma County where Pinot Noir is one of the most widely planted varieties. Grapes serve as a case study on how to break down wider AVAs into specific environmental conditions.
"In some areas like Russian River Valley," she says, "the maturation speed of Pinot Noir will be slightly faster than surrounding coastal areas resulting in different flavor profiles and tannin maturity levels." In Petaluma Gap due to long growing seasons you'll see mature tannins developing alongside fresh acidity and deep color & ripe fruit flavors that match well together."
Wind plays an equally important role in defining Petaluma Gap AVA named after gaps between coastal mountains collecting cool sea winds inland.
"[it] defines our microclimate," Stancliff said; "grapevines' reaction forms thicker skins on grapes." Thicker skins produce more color density & flavor concentration in wines made from them.
"For everything we do in our cellar", emphasizes Davis "it's crucial to remember that wine is defined by thousands of moments related to grape life – wind, sun light depth roots plus human intervention". Terroir is driven by countless such moments as he concludes.
Thus this article provides insights into small climates within various wine producing regions shaping their unique characteristics through local conditions influencing both quality & quantity aspects impacting final product hence making them distinct among other regions worldwide ultimately leading consumers towards better appreciation while enhancing regional reputation & global recognition respectively through exploring new horizons amidst ancient traditions thereby contributing significantly towards sustainability initiatives promoting ecological balance so as not only preserve natural resources but also ensure future generations can enjoy such diverse offerings too!
