Oregon Climates Exhibiting Adaptation Potential for Vinifera

Abstract

Vitis vinifera adaptation to Oregon environments is examined in terms of four climatic indexes: expected 20-year minimum winter temperatures; Winkler's heat summation index; Thornthwaite's potential evapotranspiration index; and growing-season length. Oregon data from 123 stations are compared with representative European stations and recognized V. vinifera requirements. Values are mapped and overlaid to delineate optimal areas.

Results indicate that V. vinifera wine-growing in Oregon east of the Cascade Range is limited by winter severity with climatic conditions at lower elevations resembling those of central and eastern Europe. V. vinifera wine-growing in Oregon west of the Cascade Range is limited by cool summers with climatic conditions in the interior valleys similar to those of Burgundy and the Rhine.