Willcox AVA Topography Maps

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Elevation

Elevations are between 4,000 and 4,750 feet (1,219 and 1,448 meters) for almost all of the Willcox AVA.1,2 Higher elevations, some of which exceed 7,000 feet (2,134 meters), occur just outside of the western and eastern boundaries.

Elevation creates pronounced differences in temperature and precipitation. Average temperatures at higher elevations are cooler than those at lower ones. Average precipitation amounts at higher elevations are greater than those at lower ones.

 

Slope

The central part of the Willcox AVA from northwest to southeast is dominated by slopes that are less than 1%.1 Slopes between 1% and 5% occur along the eastern and western boundaries.

Slope represents the change in elevation across an area. It can influence the amount of sunlight directly reaching vines and thus temperatures within a vineyard, as well as cold-air drainage, water infiltration, soil erosion, and use of vineyard equipment.

 

Aspect

Many areas along the western boundary of the Willcox AVA face north or east.1 Much of the rest of the area faces south or west.

Aspect is the cardinal direction that a slope faces. Like slope, it can modulate sunlight that directly reaches vines and thus temperatures within a vineyard. Locations with south- and west-facing slopes experience higher values of these environmental conditions.

 

Surface Water

Numerous creeks, washes, and ephemeral streams drain into the Willcox AVA along its northern, eastern, and western boundaries.3 The rest of the AVA is largely devoid of such features, but does include the centrally located Willcox Playa.

Natural features that are perennial, intermittent, or ephemeral and engineered features like canals, ditches, and reservoirs make up surface water. In addition to directing water across a landscape, these features can channel cooler air from higher elevations to lower ones on nights with little to no wind, influencing spring and fall freeze risk as well as diurnal temperature range during summer.