In El Dorado County - University of California,...

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Suitability Analysis Lindsey Baker and Molly Harrington El Dorado, California Acknowledgements Source: Cal Atlas, the County of El Dorado Surveyor (GIS division) and the El Dorado Winery Association. Projection: State Plane Coordinate System (NAD 1983 California Zone 2, feet) Lindsey Baker and Molly Harrington at University of California, Berkeley December 2009 Final Assessment Different grapes require different growing conditions. Each suitable parcel contains a diverse array of variables, microclimates, and site characteristics. With its moderate to steep slope, relatively high elevation and northern facing aspect, Parcel A supports growth of Cabernet and Merlot, providing them with the cool temperatures associated with higher altitudes and the frost protection of northern slopes. The growing climate could also support Zinfandel vines. The low grade slope and northern aspect of Parcel B can provide adequate frost protection for the hyper-sensitive Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay varietals. Parcel C is best suited to the hardier Zinfandel grape, which can withstand its moderately steep slope, and thrives in its SW aspect. The high elevation of Parcel D suits Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, who can tolerate higher elevations if given adequate frost protection, offered by its northern slope. The region’s cooler temperatures would suit Cabernet and Merlot grapes as well. Objective Viticulture is an already saturated market, with a hyper-sensitive crop and competitive nature of production. While Northern California's climate perfectly suits the temperamental conditions required for grape growing, available land is limited. Focusing on El Dorado, we aimed to find a geographical alternative to well-established Napa Valley that could serve as an equivocal competitor for prospective winemakers. Introduction Viticulture is one of mankind's’ oldest traditions, with a history predating modern agricultural cultivation. California’s Mediterranean climate is ideally suited to premium grape production and has generated some of the most respected and revered wines .California has moved to the forefront of international viticulture making the state the fourth largest producer in the world. The profit potential and success of the industry has led people to actively seek out alternative locations for vineyards. El Dorado County, with its high elevation and varied terrain provides a diverse array of micro-climates potentially well suited to the specifications of wine production. Process Sustainable and productive viticulture is reliant on the characteristics of the land, making site selection the most significant determinant to a vineyard’s productivity. With this in mind, we performed a McHarg Suitability Analysis to unearth viable land parcels in the El Dorado region. The resulting data identified the four most promising land parcels in the county. Continuing our analysis, we determined each microclimate’s slope, aspect and elevation. We then selected five popular grape varietals: Cabernet, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Zinfandel and combined these factors to further reveal opportunities and constraints of each proposed vineyard site. Topographic Analysis of Suitable Parcels Grape Varietals Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay are two of the most popular grape varietals. Both vines require protection from frost, higher elevations, and Northern facing slopes. Cabernet and Merlot prefer cooler growing temperatures and thrive on Northern facing slopes, which afford the vine adequate frost protection. Zinfandel grapes are a hardy variety, able to withstand more extreme temperatures and occasional frost. The vines flourish on west and south west facing slopes and are ideally planted in areas with maximum sun exposure. Parcel Profiles PParcel A s slope: predominantly 20-30 %, some areas 30-40% elevation: range 2772-3380 aspect: primarily Northern, moderate NW and NE Parcel B slope: 0-10% elevation: 2272-3326 aspect: NW and N Parcel C slope: 10-20 % elevation: 2272-3326 aspect: N and NE, corner SW Parcel D slope: 0-10 % aspect: N elevation: 4988-5543 Aspect El Dorado Vineyard Suitability Map Vineyard and Grape Suitability In El Dorado County Constraints Opportunities Precipitation < 35 inches Precipitation > 35 inches Hydrologic Soil Group C,D Hydrologic Soil Group A,B Erosion Present Volcanic Flow 50’ Buffer Cover Type = Barren Cover Type = Agriculture Slope After determining the most suitable land parcels in the El Dorado region we created a topographical analysis to ascertain which type of wine grape would flourish. Successful viticulture is dependent on a host of topographical factors, notably aspect, slope and elevation. Composite Constraint and Opportunity Maps ² A D B C Elevation

Transcript of In El Dorado County - University of California,...

  • Suitability Analysis

    Lindsey Baker and Molly Harrington

    El Dorado, California

    AcknowledgementsSource: Cal Atlas, the County of El Dorado Surveyor (GIS division) and the El Dorado Winery Association.

    Projection: State Plane Coordinate System (NAD 1983 California Zone 2, feet)

    Lindsey Baker and Molly Harrington at University of California, Berkeley

    December 2009

    Final AssessmentDifferent grapes require different growing conditions. Each suitable parcel contains a diverse array of variables, microclimates, and site characteristics.

    With its moderate to steep slope, relatively high elevation and northern facing aspect, Parcel A supports growth of Cabernet and Merlot, providing them with the cool temperatures associated with higher altitudes and the frost protection of northern slopes. The growing climate could also support Zinfandel vines.

    The low grade slope and northern aspect of Parcel B can provide adequate frost protection for the hyper-sensitive Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay varietals.

    Parcel C is best suited to the hardier Zinfandel grape, which can withstand its moderately steep slope, and thrives in its SW aspect.

    The high elevation of Parcel D suits Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, who can tolerate higher elevations if given adequate frost protection, offered by its northern slope. The region’s cooler temperatures would suit Cabernet and Merlot grapes as well.

    ObjectiveViticulture is an already saturated market, with a hyper-sensitive crop and competitive nature of production. While Northern California's climate perfectly suits the temperamental conditions required for grape growing, available land is limited. Focusing on El Dorado, we aimed to find a geographical alternative to well-established Napa Valley that could serve as an equivocal competitor for prospective winemakers.

    IntroductionViticulture is one of mankind's’ oldest traditions, with a history

    predating modern agricultural cultivation. California’s Mediterranean climate is ideally suited to premium grape production and has generated some of the most respected and revered wines .California has moved to the forefront of international viticulture making the state the fourth largest producer in the world. The profit potential and success of the industry has led people to actively seek out alternative locations for vineyards. El DoradoCounty, with its high elevation and varied terrain provides a diverse array of micro-climates potentially well suited to the specifications of wine production.

    ProcessSustainable and productive viticulture is reliant on the characteristics

    of the land, making site selection the most significant determinant to a vineyard’s productivity. With this in mind, we performed a McHarg Suitability Analysis to unearth viable land parcels in the El Dorado region.

    The resulting data identified the four most promising land parcels in the county. Continuing our analysis, we determined each microclimate’s slope, aspect and elevation. We then selected five popular grape varietals: Cabernet, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Zinfandel and combined these factors to further reveal opportunities and constraints of each proposed vineyard site.

    Topographic Analysis of Suitable Parcels

    Grape VarietalsSauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay are two of the most popular grape varietals. Both vines require protection from frost, higher elevations, and Northern facing slopes.

    Cabernet and Merlot prefer cooler growing temperatures and thrive on Northern facing slopes, which afford the vine adequate frost protection.

    Zinfandel grapes are a hardy variety, able to withstand more extreme temperatures and occasional frost. The vines flourish on west and south west facing slopes and are ideally planted in areas with maximum sun exposure.

    Parcel ProfilesPParcel A

    s slope: predominantly 20-30 %, some areas 30-40% elevation: range 2772-3380

    aspect: primarily Northern, moderate NW and NE

    Parcel B

    slope: 0-10% elevation: 2272-3326

    aspect: NW and N

    Parcel C

    slope: 10-20 % elevation: 2272-3326

    aspect: N and NE, corner SW

    Parcel D

    slope: 0-10 %

    aspect: N

    elevation: 4988-5543

    Aspect

    El Dorado Vineyard Suitability Map

    Vineyard and Grape SuitabilityIn El Dorado County

    Constraints Opportunities

    Precipitation < 35 inches Precipitation >35 inches

    Hydrologic Soil Group C,D Hydrologic Soil Group A,B

    Erosion Present Volcanic Flow 50’ Buffer

    Cover Type = Barren Cover Type = Agriculture

    Slope

    After determining the most suitable land parcels in the El Dorado region we created a topographical analysis to ascertain which type of wine grape would flourish. Successful viticulture is dependent on a host of topographical factors, notably aspect, slope and elevation.

    Composite Constraint and Opportunity Maps

    ²

    A

    D

    B

    C

    Elevation