Sonoita AVA Climate Maps

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Growing Season Temperature

Much of the Sonoita AVA has a Growing Season Temperature1 between 66°F and 70°F (19°C and 21°C), based on data2 from 1981 through 2010. Some far western and far eastern areas are warmer and have long-term normal values between 70°F and 75°F (21°C and 24°C).

Growing Season Temperature is the average temperature between April 1 and October 31. It is a common climate-viticulture classification used to compare winegrape-growing regions and to gauge which varieties might do well in an area. Different varieties require different amounts of heat accumulation during the growing season to ripen fruit.

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Winkler Index

The central part of the Sonoita AVA from north to south has Winkler Index3 values between 1944 and 2222, based on data2 from 1981 through 2010. Most of the western and eastern areas have long-term normal values that are greater and between 2222 and 2700.

Winkler Index values are cumulative growing degree days (10°C-based) between April 1 and October 31. It is a common climate-viticulture classification used to compare winegrape-growing regions and to gauge which varieties might do well in an area. Different varieties require different amounts of heat accumulation during the growing season to ripen fruit.

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Huglin Index

Most western, northern, and eastern areas of the Sonoita AVA have Huglin Index4 values between 2700 and 3000, based on data2 from 1981 through 2010. The central and southern parts have long-term normal values that are lower and between 2400 and 2700.

Huglin Index values are cumulative growing degree days (10°C-based) between April 1 and September 30 that additionally account for maximum temperature and daylength. It is a common climate-viticulture classification used to compare winegrape-growing regions and to gauge which varieties might do well in an area. Different varieties require different amounts of heat accumulation during the growing season to ripen fruit.

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Biologically Effective Degree Days

Almost all of the Sonoita AVA has values of Biologically Effective Degree Days5 between 1600 and 1800, based on data2 from 1981 through 2010.

Values of Biologically Effective Degree Days are cumulative growing degree days (10°C-based) between April 1 and October 31 that additionally account for how vine growth rate differs at different temperatures, daylength, and diurnal temperature range. It is a common climate-viticulture classification used to compare winegrape-growing regions and to gauge which varieties might do well in an area. Different varieties require different amounts of heat accumulation during the growing season to ripen fruit.

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Last Spring Freeze

Central and northern parts of the Sonoita AVA have an average date of the last spring freeze during the second half of April, based on data2 from 1981 through 2010. Areas immediately west, south, and east have long-term normal dates during the first half of April. Those farther west and east mostly have dates during the second half of March.

The last spring freeze is the latest occurrence of daily minimum temperature below 32°F (0°C) from January 1 through July 31. Freezing temperatures close to the start of the growing season can damage vines and reduce yield.

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First Fall Freeze

Much of the central part of the Sonoita AVA from north to south has an average date of the first fall freeze during the first half of November, based on data2 from 1981 through 2010. Isolated areas in the north-central part have long-term normal dates during the second half of October. Most western and eastern areas have dates during the second half of November.

The first fall freeze is the earliest occurrence of daily minimum temperature below 32°F (0°C) from August 1 through December 31. Freezing temperatures close to the end of the growing season can damage vines and unharvested fruit, as well as curtail post-harvest photosynthesis and carbohydrate accumulation.

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