-
Suitability Analysis
Lindsey Baker and Molly Harrington
El Dorado, California
AcknowledgementsSource: Cal Atlas, the County of El Dorado Surveyor (GIS division) and the El Dorado Winery Association.
Projection: State Plane Coordinate System (NAD 1983 California Zone 2, feet)
Lindsey Baker and Molly Harrington at University of California, Berkeley
December 2009
Final AssessmentDifferent grapes require different growing conditions. Each suitable parcel contains a diverse array of variables, microclimates, and site characteristics.
With its moderate to steep slope, relatively high elevation and northern facing aspect, Parcel A supports growth of Cabernet and Merlot, providing them with the cool temperatures associated with higher altitudes and the frost protection of northern slopes. The growing climate could also support Zinfandel vines.
The low grade slope and northern aspect of Parcel B can provide adequate frost protection for the hyper-sensitive Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay varietals.
Parcel C is best suited to the hardier Zinfandel grape, which can withstand its moderately steep slope, and thrives in its SW aspect.
The high elevation of Parcel D suits Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, who can tolerate higher elevations if given adequate frost protection, offered by its northern slope. The region’s cooler temperatures would suit Cabernet and Merlot grapes as well.
ObjectiveViticulture is an already saturated market, with a hyper-sensitive crop and competitive nature of production. While Northern California's climate perfectly suits the temperamental conditions required for grape growing, available land is limited. Focusing on El Dorado, we aimed to find a geographical alternative to well-established Napa Valley that could serve as an equivocal competitor for prospective winemakers.
IntroductionViticulture is one of mankind's’ oldest traditions, with a history
predating modern agricultural cultivation. California’s Mediterranean climate is ideally suited to premium grape production and has generated some of the most respected and revered wines .California has moved to the forefront of international viticulture making the state the fourth largest producer in the world. The profit potential and success of the industry has led people to actively seek out alternative locations for vineyards. El DoradoCounty, with its high elevation and varied terrain provides a diverse array of micro-climates potentially well suited to the specifications of wine production.
ProcessSustainable and productive viticulture is reliant on the characteristics
of the land, making site selection the most significant determinant to a vineyard’s productivity. With this in mind, we performed a McHarg Suitability Analysis to unearth viable land parcels in the El Dorado region.
The resulting data identified the four most promising land parcels in the county. Continuing our analysis, we determined each microclimate’s slope, aspect and elevation. We then selected five popular grape varietals: Cabernet, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Zinfandel and combined these factors to further reveal opportunities and constraints of each proposed vineyard site.
Topographic Analysis of Suitable Parcels
Grape VarietalsSauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay are two of the most popular grape varietals. Both vines require protection from frost, higher elevations, and Northern facing slopes.
Cabernet and Merlot prefer cooler growing temperatures and thrive on Northern facing slopes, which afford the vine adequate frost protection.
Zinfandel grapes are a hardy variety, able to withstand more extreme temperatures and occasional frost. The vines flourish on west and south west facing slopes and are ideally planted in areas with maximum sun exposure.
Parcel ProfilesPParcel A
s slope: predominantly 20-30 %, some areas 30-40% elevation: range 2772-3380
aspect: primarily Northern, moderate NW and NE
Parcel B
slope: 0-10% elevation: 2272-3326
aspect: NW and N
Parcel C
slope: 10-20 % elevation: 2272-3326
aspect: N and NE, corner SW
Parcel D
slope: 0-10 %
aspect: N
elevation: 4988-5543
Aspect
El Dorado Vineyard Suitability Map
Vineyard and Grape SuitabilityIn El Dorado County
Constraints Opportunities
Precipitation < 35 inches Precipitation >35 inches
Hydrologic Soil Group C,D Hydrologic Soil Group A,B
Erosion Present Volcanic Flow 50’ Buffer
Cover Type = Barren Cover Type = Agriculture
Slope
After determining the most suitable land parcels in the El Dorado region we created a topographical analysis to ascertain which type of wine grape would flourish. Successful viticulture is dependent on a host of topographical factors, notably aspect, slope and elevation.
Composite Constraint and Opportunity Maps
²
A
D
B
C
Elevation