Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Winegrowing Around the World
Two broad bands that circle the globe are suitable for growing grapes. These temper-
ate regions have sufficient summer high temperatures, winter low temperatures, and a
growing season that lasts long enough to ripen grapes. Within these bands are a wide
variety of regional differences.
YOUR LOCATION
Let's begin our discussion of creating your vineyard with location. You probably have
a pretty good idea of whether your macroclimate is one in which grapes can grow. If there
are already vineyards in your region, then you know you're in a suitable macroclimate.
Basically, you need at least eight hours of sun per day during the growing season. In the
Northern Hemisphere, this is from about February to April through September to Novem-
ber. This covers a great deal of the United States and parts of southern Canada.
Of course California has the greatest abundance of different growing regions in North
America. But there are significant grape-growing areas in the Northeast—in New York
state, southern New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and parts of Ohio. Some of the original vine-
yards in the United States were planted in Virginia, and there are vineyards in Maryland
