Wine grapes at risk due to wildfires and extreme heat

There are growing concerns among the wine community over the climate change impacts on wine grapes. Wine grapes are a particularly sensitive crop when it comes to temperature variations. They really are a Goldilocks type of crop...conditions have to be just right for them to flourish.

Premium wine grapes can only grow in very particular locations. These locations must have a fine balance in temperatures and rainfall. Anything extreme will disrupt the crop's growth and the production of that particular wine. For some grapes, the range in temperature is very very small. Pinot Noir grapes, for example, have an extremely narrow temperature range of only 3.6 degrees. Wine expert Dr. Greg Jones says even a one degree temperature change outside of that 3.6 degrees can mean the difference between a poor, good, or excellent vintage. There's very little room for heat waves or cold snaps with Pinot Noir grapes. See below for a look at the temperature range needed for wine grapes.

The growing season for wine grapes in the United States runs from April through October. The average temperature for the growing season in the United States has gone up 2 degrees since 1970. California produces 85% of our wines here in the United States. The average temperature during the growing season in California has gone up nearly 3 degrees since 1970. Researchers have found that extreme heat during the growing season could reduce the areas currently producing premium grapes by 50%. Warming temperatures could force winemakers to seek cooler climates in the future.

The increase in western wildfires due to climate change is also a concern for wine lovers. Wildfires can destroy the crop, but even the smoke from distant wildfires pose a threat. If the wine grapes are exposed to wildfire smoke while ripening, they can have a more smokey, ashy taste or aroma.

Like many other industries, winemakers have to find ways to adapt to our changing climate. That could mean moving to higher elevations, or perhaps moving to more northern regions. With climate change, the popular wine country out west might one day become a thing of the past.