Project title
Preliminary investigation of terrain demarcation for wine growing areas in the Western Cape

Project leader
Carey, V A

Institution
University of Stellenbosch

Project description
The significant effect of terrain (interaction between soil, climate and topography) on wine quality and character is internationally recognized and the need for studies of these effects has been outlined by the Office International de la Vigne et du Vin. In order to remain competitive in an ever-expanding international wine market it is necessary to produce unique wines of a high quality. This study aims to identify terrains in the Stellenbosch-Klein Drakenstein study area with the potential to produce such wines.
Natural terroir units have been identified in the Bottelaryberg-Simonsberg-Helderberg study area based on topography, soil and geology.

Winter 2000 was warm and dry. The ripening period was cool during December and January but February 2001 was the warmest recorded thus far. Various bioclimatic indices have been used to describe the climate of the weather stations in the Stellenbosch-Drakenstein network for the 2000/2001 season.

The effect of season and site climates on the aroma profile of the wines was clear for all three cultivars. The interaction with other factors (soil type, soil depth and vines? virus status) also had an effect on the reaction of the vine and, therefore, on the wine aroma. These need to be studied in greater depth.
Soil profile descriptions and analyses have been performed at the experimental plots and can be used in further analyses.

It is recommended that the project be continued, but that future objectives of terroir research in South Africa be discussed by a multidisciplinary team.

Poster(s)
1.  De Villiers, F S, Taljaardt, R and Schmidt, A. 1995. Potential impact of a climate change on South African viticulture. Global environmental change: Implications for Southern Africa. Regional Conference. 24-26 April, Pretoria, South Africa.
2. Bonnardot, V and De Villiers, F S. 1997. Sea breeze in the Stellenbosch-Klein Drakenstein wine producing district. 3th National Congress of the South African Society for Enology and Viticulture, November, Somerset West, South Africa.
3. Carey, VA. 1999. The potential of Ficksburg and surrounding areas for wine grape cultivation. ARC Farmers' Day, 27 May, Ficksburg, South Africa.
4. Bonnardot, V M F. 1999. Climate and Sauvignon Blanc performance in Stellenbosch area for the 1995 - 1999 period. 24th National Congress of the South African Society for Enology and Viticulture, 18-19 November, Somerset West, South Africa.
5. Carey, V A. 1999. The spatial characterisation of viticultural terrains in the Bottelaryberg-Helderberg wine growing area. 24th National Congress of the South African Society for Enology and Viticulture, 18-19 November, Somerset West, South Africa.
6.  Carey, V A. 1999. The spatial characterisation of viticultural terrains in the Bottelaryberg-Helderberg wine growing area. 3rd International Symposium on Viticultural Zoning, Tenerife.
7. Planchon, O, Bonnardot, V M F and Cautenet, S. 2000. Étude des circulations de Brise de mer dans la province occidentale du cap: observations et modelisation. AIC Congress, September, Nice.
8. Carey, V A. 2000. The delimitation of macro-climatic regions in the Western Cape with the aid of a geographic information system and the determination of their potential for various cultivars. OIV Group of Experts: Vitivinicultural zoning, 6 March.
9.  Bonnardot, V M F, Cautenet, S, Du Preez, C, Planchon, O and Carey, V A. 2001. Modélisation atmosphérique méso-échelle: un outil pour l'identification des terroirs viticoles en Afrique du Sud. International Association for Climatology Congress, Seville, Spain.
10. Planchon, O, Bonnardot, V M F, Du Preez, C, Carey, V A and Cautenet, S. 2001. Modélisation atmosphérique méso-échelle: un outil pour l'identification des terroirs viticoles en Afrique du Sud Congress of the Association Internationale de Climatologie, September, Seville, Spain.

Presentation(s)
1. De Villiers, F S. 1993. Terreinafbakening vir die Wes-Kaapse wynbou area. Klimaatsbehoefte van die landboubedrywe in die Suid- en Wes-Kaap, IGKW Symposium, 29 September, Cape Town, South Africa.
2. De Villiers, F S and Van Schalkwyk, D. 1995. The effect of crop levels induced by bud load on grape and wine quality. Proc. 5th Symposium International d'Oenologie,Palais des Congress, 15-17 June, Bordeaux-Lace, France.
3. Bonnardot, V M F and De Villiers, F S. 1997. Sea-breeze in the Stellenbosch-Klein Drakenstein wine producing district. 22nd National Congress of the South African Society for Enology and Viticulture, November, Somerset West. South Africa.
4. De Villiers, F S. 1997. The use of a geographic information system in the selection of wine cultivars for the specific areas by using temperature climatic models. 22nd OIV World Vine and Wine Congress, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
5. De Villiers, F S. 1997. Terreinkeuse. South African Society for Enology and Viticulture Refresher Course. Druifproduksie met spesifieke wyndoelwit. 4 September, Cape Town, South Africa.
6. Schmidt, A. 1999. The influence of terrain selection on Cabernet Sauvignon. 24th National Congress of the South African Society for Enology and Viticulture, 18-19 November, Somerset West, South Africa.
7. Carey, V A. 1999. The spatial characterisation of viticultural terrains in the Bottelary-Helderberg wine growing area. 24th National Congress of the South African Society for Enology and Viticulture, November, Somerset West. South Africa.
8. Bonnardot, V M F, Carey, V A and Schmidt, A. 1999. The effect of mesoclimate on Sauvignon blanc aroma profiles in the Stellenbosch wine growing area (1996 - 1999). 24th National Congress of the South African Society for Enology and Viticulture, November, Somerset West.
9. Schmidt, A, Bonnardot, V and Carey V A. 1999. The influence of terrain selection on Cabernet Sauvignon. 24th National Congress of the South African Society for Enology and Viticulture, November, Somerset West, South Africa.
10. Hudson, D A and Carey, V A. 1999. Potential climate change impacts on viticulture in the South Western Cape. South African Atmospheric Science Conference, Richards Bay, South Africa.
11. Carey, V A. 2000. Viticultural terroir identification. Recommendations to growers. 20 November, Stellenbosch.
12. Theron, J C D. 2000. Vertraagde bot. Presentation to Stellenbosch Farmers' Winery. Viticulturists and Winemakers, 4 August, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
13. Bonnardot, V M F, Planchon, O, Carey, V A and Cautenet, S. 2000. Sea breeze numerical simulation in the Western Cape Province: a means to identify wine growing areas affected by cool temperatures, high humidity and strong winds. 2nd International Congress of the South African Society for Enology and Viticulture, November, Cape Town, South Africa.
14. Carey, V A. 2000. The delimitation of macro-climatic regions in the Western Cape with the aid of a geographic information system and the determination of their potential for various cultivars. O.I.V Group of Experts: Vitivinicultural zoning.
15. Carey, V A and Bonnardot, V. 2000. Spatial characterisation of terrain units in the Bottelary-Simonsberg-Helderberg wine growing area. 3rd International Symposium Viticultural Zoning, May, Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife.
16. Planchon, O, Bonnardot, V, Cautenet, S and Carey, V A. 2000. Sea breeze numerical simulations in the Stellenbosch wine growing area. 2nd International Congress of the South African Society for Enology and Viticulture, Cape Town, South Africa.
17. Carey, V A. 2001. The Wine of Origin Scheme in South Africa. Presentation to visiting members of Fédération des Cooperatives vinicoles d'Aquitaine, 31 March, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
18. Carey, V A, Bonnardot, V M F, Schmidt, A and Theron, J C D. 2001. The interaction between vintage, vineyard site (mesoclimate) and wine aroma of Vitis vinifera L.cvs. Sauvignon blanc, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon in the Stellenbosch-Klein Drakenstein wine growing area, South Africa (1996-2000). 26th OIV World Vine and Wine Congress, October, Adelaide, Australia.
19. Carey, V A. 2001. The terroir effect in red wine production. A Strategic Focus on South an Red Wine, Somerset West
20. Du Preez, C, Bonnardot, V M F, Cautenet, S, Planchon, O and Carey, V A. 2001. Sea breeze numerical simulation at a 200m-grid resolution in the Stellenbosch-Helderberg wine-growing area. 25th National Congress of the South African Society for Enology and Viticulture, November, Somerset West, South Africa.
21. Du Preez, C, Dyson, L, Bonnardot, V M F, Cautenet, S, Planchon, O and Carey, V A. 2001. Numerical simulations of a sea breeze in the Stellenbosch area. South African Society for Atmospheric Science, Cape Town.
22. Bonnardot, V M F, Cautenet, S, Du Preez, C, Planchon, O and Carey, V A. 2001. Identification of climate limits and coolest areas resulting from the sea breeze effect in the Stellenbosch/Helderberg wine growing area. 25th National Congress of the South African Society for Enology and Viticulture, November, Somerset West. South Africa.
23. Carey, V A, Archer, E and Saayman, D. 2001. Spatial characterisation of natural terroir units for viticulture in the Bottelary-Simonsberg-Helderberg wine growing area. 25th National Congress of the South African Society for Enology and Viticulture, November, Somerset West. South Africa.
24. Bonnardot, V M F, Cautenet, S, Du Preez, C, Planchon, O and Carey, V A. 2002. Atmospheric modelling: a tool to assess the sea breeze effect in the South Western Cape wine growing area. 27
th World Congress of Vine and Wine, Bratislava.
25. Carey, V A. 2002. Cultivar and environment interaction: example of Cabernet Sauvignon in the Stellenbosch-Drakenstein wine growing area, South Africa. OIV Group of Experts: Zonage Vitivinicole, March, Paris, France.
26. Carey, V A, Archer, E and Saayman, D. 2002. Identification of natural terroir units for viticulture, Stellenbosch, South Africa. International Symposium Zonage Vitivinicole, Avignon.
27. Carey, V A and Bonnardot, V. 2002. A viticultural perspective of meso-scale atmospheric modelling in the Bottelary-Simonsberg-Helderberg wine growing area (South Africa). Proc. 27th World Congress Vine and Wine, June, Bratislava, Slovenia.
28. Carey, V A and Bonnardot, V. 2002. A viticultural perspective of meso-scale atmospheric modelling in the Stellenbosch wine growing area, South Africa. 6th International Symposium Viticultural Zoning, June, Avignon, France.
29. Bonnardot, V. 2002. The sea breeze: a significant climate factor for viticultural zoning in coastal wine growing areas. OIV Symposium International Zonage Vitivinicole, Avignon.

Final report
http://www.sawislibrary.co.za/dbtextimages/finalreport49.pdf

De Villiers, F S. 1995. Wingerdboukundiges besoek Europa om ondersoek in te stel na die konsep van wingerd terreinafbakening. Wynboer. Mnth Nov p. T11-12

Article

De Villiers, F S, Schmidt, A, Theron, J C D. 1995. Reënvalverspreiding as die vertrekpunt vir die afbakening van wingerdterreine van die Bottelary-, Simons- en Helderberg-area. Wynboer. Mnth Mar p. T3-4

De Villiers, F S, Schmidt, A, Theron, J C D, Taljaard, R. 1996. Onderverdeling van die Wes-Kaap wynbougebiede volgens bestaande klimaatskriteria. Wynboer. Mnth Jan p. T10-12

De Villiers, F S. 1997. Februarie temperatuur. Nuwe toets vir druifpotentiaal. Wynboer. Mnth Feb p. 33-34

Carey, V A. 1998. Terrain identification in Italy and southern France. Wynboer. Mnth Nov p. T2-5

Bonnardot, V M F, Carey, V A, Schmidt, A. 2000. The effect of vintage and location on Sauvignon blanc wines aroma in the Stellenbosch-Klein Drakenstein wine growing area (vintage 1996-1999) WineLand. Mnth Oct p. 114-118

Bonnardot, V M F, Carey, V A, Planchon, O, Cautenet, S. 2001. Sea breeze mechanism and observations of its effects in the Stellenbosch wine producing area. WineLand. Mnth Oct p. 107-113

Carey, V A, Archer, E, Saayman, D. 2002. Natural terroir units: What are they? How can they help the wine farmer. WineLand. Mnth Feb p. 86-88

Carey, V A, Bonnardot, V M F, Schmidt, A, Theron, J C D. 2003. The interaction between vintage, vineyard site (meso-climate) and wine aroma of Vitis vinifera L. Sauvignon blanc, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon in the Stellenbosch Klein Drakenstein wine producing region. Bulletin d'OIV. v. 76 n. 863-864 p. 4-29

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