Anderson Valley: Hot & Cold But Cool

In the middle anof May I found myself cruising north along Interstate 101 heading for the 11th Annual Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Festival sponsored by the Anderson Valley Winegrower’s Association. As I turned west on Highway 128 for the winding and scenic 40 minute drive to the bucolic Anderson Valley, I noted a significant rise in temperature. By the time I had reached Boonville, it was nearly 100°F! The heat spell, which was to continue all weekend, was a shock to the locals. Anderson Valley is classified as a Region I viticulture area in the lower or more northerly part of the valley and Region II in the upper valley around Boonville according to the heat summation classification developed by two University of California Davis professors, Albert Winkler and Maynard Amerine. The classification is based on heat summation, that is, the number of units of heat or “degree-days” available to ripen grapes. Region I has less than 2.500 heat units, and Region II, 2,5001 to 3,500 heat units. Other wine growing areas designated as Region I are Carneros, Santa Cruz Mountains, Santa Maria Valley, Burgundy and Champagne. Edna Valley and the Russian River Valley are Region II areas. Cool-climate varieties such as Pinot Noir are right at home in Regions I and II.

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