With James Hook Viticulturalist

With James Hook Viticulturalist
You often hear about how the

quality of our wines is helped by
the regions weather.
How does McLaren Vale’s
weather affect grapes in the
region? How does if affect
wine?
Each vineyard in the district is
unique. Each has its unique
climate.
In very simple terms several
climate factors affect the way
vines grow and ripen their fruit.
Elevation- The height of a
vineyard affects its humidity,
temperature and exposure to
wind.
Aspect- The exposure to ‘gully
winds’ or afternoon summer
seabreeze affects growth and
ripening of vineyards.
Rainfall- The amount and timing
for rain affects the way vines grow
during the season. Rain before
harvest can also reduce the
quality of your fruit by spitting or
increased risk of botrytis.
Temperature- The temperature MCLAREN VALE IS CONSIDERED TO HAVE SIX SUB-REGIONS. THESE
of each vineyard site affects the ARE DRAWN UP CONSIDERING FACTORS LIKE SOIL TYPE, THE STYLE OF
way vines grow. The weather in WINE THAT IS MADE FROM THEIR GRAPES, AND DIFFERENCES IN THE
the two months before harvest WEATHER.
effects the sugar and flavour of
the wine that is made from them.
Harvest in McLaren Vale begin as
early as late January or early
February in early ripening
varieties such as Chardonnay and
is usually completed by the end
of April.
Harvest dates get later in a north
easterly direction traveling from
the Sellicks Foothills, Aldinga,
Willunga and McLaren Vale
through to Blewitt Springs. Many
vineyards in Seaview are an
exception to this in that grapes
picked before areas like Willunga.
(c) James Hook on behalf of McLaren Vale Grape Wine and Tourism Association. This report was produced from information supplied in the
McLaren Vale Region Profile supported by GWRD. Images (c) James Hook
The Gulf and the Hills
There are two significant
geographical features
which influence the
climate around the region–
the Gulf St Vincent and the
Willunga Hills, called the
Range.
Gulf St Vincent is a large
body of water
approximately 170km long
with a width of 50-60km. It
is shallow with a depth
rarely exceeding 40 metres.
The median water
temperature at Port
Noarlunga is just under
18oC and ranges from
around 12oC to 21oC.
The moderating temperature effects of this water prevent frost by warming night-time temperatures during
winter and early spring.
During the summer the water has the effect of cooling down the region.
Interestingly the effect of the Gulf on cooling McLaren Vale grapes as they ripen is not as significant as some
other wine regions that are adjacent to deeper colder oceans. Vines ripening in Margaret River, Western
Australia directly on the Indian Ocean are later than in McLaren Vale. Although the Gulf is fed by the
Southern Ocean, the transfer of water into and out it is relatively small. As a result of this low flow and its
relatively shallow depth water temperatures increase in summer.
The sea does however have a cooling affect through summer sea breezes. Cool air from above the gulf is
drawn onto the land displacing hot air.
Sea breezes make their way up the Gulf St Vincent in a south-westerly direction and tend to strengthen in
the mid-afternoon during the summer months. Sea breezes blow across the whole region but have more
effect in areas where the breeze starts earlier in the day areas such as Seaview and Aldinga are cooled
much more strongly. The cooling effect of these sea breezes means that temperature and humidity are
closer to optimal for vine function through much of the day and evening, effectively creating a more
favorable climate.
The ‘gully wind’ which occurs in January and February also has helps cool ripening grapes. Cooler air flows
down from the hills even on the hottest nights helping to cool the fruit. This helps maintain delicate grape
flavour molecules collected in the skins, holds natural acid in the berry pulp and slows down ripening. These
breezes give grapes a specific character compared to other wine regions.
Elevation
The height or elevation of a vineyard affects the temperature of grapes. The higher you go the colder the air
gets.
A large proportion of vineyards in the McLaren Vale Wine Region are situated on the floor of the Willunga
basin between the ranges and the Gulf St Vincent. The sub-regions of McLaren Vale, McLaren Flat and
Willunga have vineyards all between 30-100m above sea level.
Vineyards to the north of the township of McLaren Vale in the region- Seaview may have elevations up to
180m. Vineyards in Blewitt Springs region at the north-eastern end of the Willunga Basin have elevations
ranging between 100m and 200m. The region area has some sections of the ranges with significantly higher
elevations in areas such as Clarendon, Range Road and Chandlers Hill where elevations range from 250m
to 350m. These areas are significantly different from those found on the floor of the Willunga Basin and
have temperatures similar to those found in the Adelaide Hills wine region.
2 (c) James Hook on behalf of McLaren Vale Grape Wine and Tourism Association. This report was produced from information supplied in the
Aspect
The slope on which a vineyard faces- called the aspect - is considered very important in European viticulture
where in many regions it makes a large difference in ripening. Vineyard aspect can affect vineyard ripening
in a number of ways, increasing warmth by interception of solar radiation, protection from wind and
protection from frost.
The McLaren Vale wine region is
considered to be able to ripen all
winegrape varieties in most seasons. In
the flat land of the Willunga Basin, slope
has no effect real effect on ripening. The
extra warmth gained by a slope facing
the sun is useful in only the coolest
parts of the Blewitt Springs,
Kangarilla, The Range and Clarendon.
The effect of aspect on wind has the
most relevance to grape growing in
McLaren Vale. Aspects that expose
vineyards to the afternoon sea breeze
have temperature and humidity
differences to those which are
sheltered.
Vineyards that are exposed to either the Spring south-easterly winds, or the gully winds in summer, ripen at
different speeds than those sheltered to the wind.
A point worth noting is that in areas which most require protection from wind, suitable aspects are not
available. For example, strong winds can impair shoot growth early in the season in the Sellicks Foothills
near Aldinga. In that area the relatively flat or gently sloping terrain means that suitable sheltered aspects
are not available.
The impact of aspect on frost risk in most of the area is not of great significance, although there are certain
locations where the lay of the hills trap air stopping it escape to the sea.
Rainfall
Rainfall is lowest on the coast at Port Noarlunga and steadily increases towards the foothills, where there is
a more rapid increase with elevation in the Mt Lofty Ranges.
Average annual rainfall for the major
vineyard plantings in the wine region
ranges from around 500mm, up to as
much as 700mm.
Rainfall effects grape development
through out the season. Vine growth
is particularly sensitive to rain in late
spring, early summer. Heavy rain at
this point can increase shoot growth
and vine canopy size.
Historically grapes were planted in
the higher rainfall areas of the
region, like Clarendon and Blewitt
Springs and dry grown.
Beginning in the 1990’s new
vineyards were established in the
drier Willunga and Sellicks Foothills areas which in most years need some summer irrigation.
RAINFALL MAP OF MCLAREN
VALE
Row orientation
We are often asked why do some rows run north-south and
other run east-west?
Generally vineyards were planted depending on the block
shape and where you could get the longest rows. Long rows
make vineyard jobs like harvesting more efficient because
machinery spends less time turning around.
In Europe the rows are orientated so the sun will heat the mid
row to assist ripening. They are generally always North-South to
maximise the amount of sunlight they receive. McLaren Vale
has much warmer summers than most European grape growing
regions. For some vineyards it is found the afternoon sun from
3pm to 7pm tends to ‘cook’ exposed fruit so east-west is
preferred.
The winds in McLaren Vale can influence what direction rows are planted. High winds cause less shaking
and damage if they run parallel down rows, not hitting them at right angles.
Temperature
Monthly mean minimum and maximum temperatures helps winemakers learn about the conditions in their
vineyards.
Mean monthly minimum and maximum temperatures
30
25
20
Mean Temperature (C)
15
10
McLaren Vale (Main Rd)

5 Willunga
McLaren Flat
Seaview
Kangarilla
Aldinga
McLaren Vale (Strout Rd)
0
January February March April May June July August September October November December
From this information we know, Kangarilla experiences cooler winters than the other part of the region.
Seaview and McLaren Flat experience lower maximum temperatures during the summer months. This is
the result of cooling winds. The afternoon sea breeze cools in the case of Seaview and the gully wind in
McLaren Flat.
Although comparison of raw temperature data is useful, for viticultural comparisons we convert the
temperatures in a number that estimates how vines cope with temperature.
“Degree days” (BEDD) is a heat index which attempts to show the temperature range where grapevines are
growing and ripening grapes.
Accumulated ‘Day Degrees’ for vineyard sites in Vintage 2006
1800
1600
1400
Biologically effective degree days (BEDD)
1200
1000
800
600 Noarlunga
McLaren Vale (Main Rd)
Seaview
400
McLaren Flat
Kangarilla
200 Blewitt Springs
Aldinga
McLaren Vale (Strout Rd)
0
10 5
/1 05
/1 05
/1 05
/0 06
/0 06
/0 06
04 6
/0 06
/1 05
/1 05
11 5
/1 05
/1 05
12 5
/1 05
/1 05
/1 05
01 5
/0 06
/0 06
02 6
/0 06
/0 06
03 6
/0 06
/0 06
04 6
/0 06
/0 06
06
8/ 200
5/ 200
3/ 200
7/ 200
4/ 200
4/ 200
1/ 200
8/ 200
15 /20
12 /20
10 /20
14 /20
11 /20
11 /20
15 /20
22 /20
29 20
19 /20
26 /20
17 /20
24 /20
31 /20
21 /20
28 /20
18 /20
25 /20
18 /20
25 /20
22 /20
29 /20
20
/
/
0/
0/
1/
2/
1/
2/
3/
4/
10
1
1
2
2
2
1
1
2
2
3
3
4
4
1/
It indicates that BEDD accumulation is slowest at Kangarilla, followed by Blewitt Springs, Seaview and
McLaren Flat. Accumulation is most rapid at Willunga, Aldinga and Noarlunga.
This data indicates that Kangarilla and Blewitt Springs are the slowest ripening sites, while Aldinga and
Willunga are the quickest.
Seaview is cooler than both the McLaren Vale weather stations which are located at lower elevations.
Aldinga located in the Sellicks Foothills is clearly warmer through out the growing season. It is the site
that is closest to the gulf waters and is most exposed to the ‘gully winds.’
So the weather is good then?

McLaren Vale wine is a reflection of the climate of the district. Dry in summer, wet in winter, just enough
wind to cool the fruit in summer because we are favourably shielded by the Gulf of St Vincent and the Mt
Lofty Ranges.
The weather is favourable for unique, world class wine. If it rained more in summer or if the region was hit
by frosts or heat waves the wine would not be as good. We are lucky. The combination of wind, the Gulf and
the Mt Lofty Ranges helps grape growers and winemakers.
Different climate factors give the wines of McLaren Vale’s sub-regions subtle differences. The grapes that
we grow all have slight differences in flavour. These differences in flavour and ripening time are used to
blend wine together. It is like a painter mixing to colours when to get just the right shade. Some
winemakers leave wines from a certain vineyard separate and release it as s special single vineyard bottling.
Shiraz from Blewitt Springs is different. It has softer and cooler flavours compared to Sellicks Foothills
Shiraz which is big and bold. These differences are due in part because of the differences in temperature in
the lead up to ripening. Together with wind, aspect, elevation, rainfall, the climate and the way grapes are
managed make McLaren Vale wines unique.

With James Hook Viticulturalist

Transféré par

Informations du document

Description originale:

Copyright

Formats disponibles

Partager ce document

Partager ou intégrer le document

Options de partage

Avez-vous trouvé ce document utile ?

Ce contenu est-il inapproprié ?

Droits d'auteur :

Formats disponibles

With James Hook Viticulturalist

Transféré par

Droits d'auteur :

Formats disponibles

With James Hook Viticulturalist

You often hear about how the

Mean monthly minimum and maximum temperatures

McLaren Vale (Main Rd)

Accumulated ‘Day Degrees’ for vineyard sites in Vintage 2006

So the weather is good then?

Vous aimerez peut-être aussi