We sat down with Winemaker Danielle Cyrot of CADE Estate and 13th Vineyard, to chat about the effects of wildfires and climate change on the vineyards.
Climate Change vs. Winemaking
We sat down with Winemaker Danielle Cyrot of CADE Estate and 13th Vineyard, to chat about the effects of wildfires and climate change on the vineyards.
Q: We’ve seen what the direct effects of wildfires have on grape growing regions such as Napa and Sonoma Valley, but what are the other areas of vulnerability that climate change poses on grape growing and wine production?
DANIELLE CYROT: I think water availability and how we use water to irrigate our vineyards in the future will be impacted greatly by climate change. We are no strangers to drought in California, but with the combination of drought, and extended periods of time with temperatures over 100°F, irrigation will be key. We are seeing more extremes with climate change. We normally see temperatures above 100°F during the growing season, but now we are seeing not one or two days, but 7-10 days of extreme heat. Vines start to shut down during these extreme heat events and that impacts color, sugar, and phenolic ripeness.