Site Impact On Chardonnay Flavor

1. Site ImpactOn Chardonnay Flavor Glenn McGourty, Winegrowing Advisor UCCE Mendocino and Lake Counties

2. *Ft. Bragg *Mendocino *Ukiah *Philo *Boonville

4. The Four Seasons In Mendocino County Mediterranean California Meets the Pacific Northwest:“Baja Oregon” Klamath Bioregion

9. Distance from the Ocean Determines Relative Warmth

10. Microclimates of Northern California • Distance from the Pacific Ocean is key • Climates range from maritime to continental • Topography is rugged • Geology is highly variable • Elevation, slope and aspect vary greatly • Vines start growth late, ripen late • Stratification of air at night • Convection by day, breezy

11. Climate and Sun Light Energy In the Fog Beyond the Fog Above the Fog

15. Ways to Select Varieties Winkler Heat Summation

16. Heat Summation: • Hours above 50 degrees F • A useful quick way to estimate suitability of a climate for grape growing • Five regions, four for wine grapes

17. The International Varieties Cabernet sauvignon Chardonnay Sauvignon blanc Merlot Pinot noir

18. International Varieties • Native to Northern France (above latitude 44 degrees North • Relatively cool growing season (Winkler Regions I and II) • Long history of quality and export, especially to the United Kingdom • Relatively recent arrival and/or commercial use in the New World (thanks, Robert Mondavi, Charlie Barra, other early believers)

19. Chardonnay, Mendocino County’s Most Widely Planted Wine Grape 4,680 acres Planted in virtually all regions Productive Numerous clones Average price per ton: $1200 Production in 2010: 14, 28

20. Approximate Degree Summation

21. Distance from Pacific Ocean and Winkler Regions(Latitude 39 degrees)

22. A few caveats: • “On the edge of adaptation you may find brilliance” • “Look for the warm spot in the cool place” • In cool places, best sites face south, west • Higher elevation sites best in cool and humid climates, not valley floors

23. Environmental Cues for Plants • Photoperiod or Day Length • Air Temperature • Soil Temperature

24. Soils Matter • Heavy soils delay bud break and ripening, and cause excessive growth, large crops and berry size. Okay for whites, not so good for reds • Lighter soils help with vine balance, but can also stress vines if not irrigated

25. Anderson Valley: Region One: To 2200 Hours • One of California’s Coolest Area • North end is very cool and often foggy Gewurtztraminer, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay • South end can grow all of those varieties, plus Sauvignon blanc • Not a great place for other reds

28. Region 2: 2200-2800 hours • Low summation: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay • High summation: Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Syrah (these can be tricky in cool, wet years) • Elevation, slope, aspect, soils very important

29. Yorkville Highlands

30. Yorkville Highlands • Headwaters of the Navarro and Dry Creek Watersheds • Cooler sites (lower areas) good for Pinot noir, Chardonnay • Warmer sites (upper areas) are producing excellent Cabernet sauvignon and Syrah • Not as hot as interior Mendocino County

32. Region III: Interior Mendocino County • 2800 to 3500 hours • Great region for Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Syrah, Sangiovese, Nebbiolo, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon • In deep soils, Chardonnay and Sauvignon blanc, Viognier, Roussanne, Marsanne