If you are purchasing a home in most parts of the world, you might be interested in the history of the land… but EXACTLY how much rainfall comes to that area, what’s happening with temperature changes over the past ten years, and the ratio of hills to flat valley land might not make much difference… in fact, in many parts of the Country, having a flat valley floor might be preferable if you’re considering a ranch or farm.
If you are purchasing a Vineyard in Napa Valley, California – trust me, EVERYTHING matters.
I’ve spent my entire professional career working in the Wine Business. My wife’s family owns a vineyard known for it’s high quality grapes just across from Napa Valley in Sonoma. People who are considering a Vineyard (even if it’s only a “hobby vineyard” of 5 or 6 acres) value my insight on the Rain, the Hillsides and the Vines.
Vineyards are often on hillsides and on soil of marginal value to other plants. A common saying is that “the worse the soil, the better the wine.” Planting on hillsides, especially those facing south, is most often in an attempt to maximize the amount of sunlight that falls on the vineyard. Some of the best wines come from vineyards on a hillside in a dry climate with a southern exposure, good drainage to reduce unnecessary water uptake.
In addition to terrain and climate, the age of the vines, and balanced pruning both contribute to the quality of the grapes at a particular vineyard. Balanced pruning , over time, is important because it will force the vine to put more of its energy into the fruit, rather than foliage. “Old vines” are generally are 40 years or older… They generally produce a very small crop of very concentrated grapes.
This is why knowing the yields of the grapes per acre, the rainfall, the topography, the exposure… and how that compares to other vineyards in that AVA can be important in calculating the value of the vineyard. I’m a numbers guy, and I understand the entire wine process – so if you are considering the purchase of a vineyard in Napa Valley California please call Mark Stornetta 707-815-8749 Wine Country Real Estate.
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