{"id":12677,"date":"2016-11-04T17:06:15","date_gmt":"2016-11-04T21:06:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/digital.hbs.edu\/platform-rctom\/submission\/sustaining-my-buzz-readying-a-california-vineyard-for-climate-change\/"},"modified":"2016-11-04T17:06:15","modified_gmt":"2016-11-04T21:06:15","slug":"sustaining-my-buzz-readying-a-california-vineyard-for-climate-change","status":"publish","type":"hck-submission","link":"https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/submission\/sustaining-my-buzz-readying-a-california-vineyard-for-climate-change\/","title":{"rendered":"Sustaining My Buzz \u2013 Readying a California Vineyard for Climate Change"},"content":{"rendered":"

The California wine industry is expected to be significantly impacted by the effects of global climate change, potentially resulting in decreasing California wine quality and availability. Rodney Strong Vineyards, owned by the Klein family, in Sonoma County, California, has taken a number of forward-thinking steps to address the challenges climate change faces them, yet there is still much work to be done to prepare this company for the long term future.<\/p>\n

\"Source:<\/a>
Source:<\/strong> Rodney Strong Vineyards, \u201cWine & Food\u201d, https:\/\/www.rodneystrong.com\/recipes\/<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The expected climatic effects of climate change are well documented and are already being observed1,2<\/sup>.\u00a0 Some effects that are likely to very directly impact the California wine industry include those summarized in Exhibit 1.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Exhibit 1 \u2013 Expected Climatic Results of Climate Change <\/strong>and Potential Impacts on Wine Industry<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Expected Climate Result of Climate Change<\/strong><\/td>\nPotential Impact on Wine Industry<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Increase in atmospheric water vapor content<\/td>\nMay affect vine growth, grape yield, and grape quality (positively or negatively)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Increase in precipitation and severe storms<\/td>\nIncreased potential for damage to vineyard soils and vines, which may impact grape production and require costly repairs<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
More severe droughts3<\/sup><\/td>\nReduced availability of freshwater for irrigation; increased water costs; land subsidence. Social conflicts with competing demands for fresh water and land for agriculture and habitat conservation4<\/sup>.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
More extreme (both hot and cold) temperatures)<\/td>\nMay affect vine growth, grape yield, and grape quality (positively or negatively)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rising sea levels\/salt water intrusion<\/td>\nMay increase salinity of groundwater or soils underlying vineyard; May affect vine growth, grape yield, and grape quality (positively or negatively)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Disruption of freshwater and energy supplies<\/td>\nVolatility in freshwater and energy availability may strain operations and increase costs. Also may result in a more challenging regulatory atmosphere for water and energy usage.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

With the wine-making process largely being the result of the land and weather, rather than a vineyard or winemaker\u2019s skill and operations, climate change imposes a great risk on the future quality of wine in California. However, with so many variables that will be affected by climate change (including soil and groundwater salinity, ambient air temperature, and precipitation) that influence the final grapes, there is always the possibility that these changes could have a positive impact on the final product5<\/sup>. Additionally, improving energy and water efficiency, increasing energy independence, and supply chain evaluations can potentially decrease costs and reduce variability overall.<\/p>\n

\"Source:<\/a>
Source:<\/strong> Rodney Strong Vineyards, \u201cPlace Matters,\u201d https:\/\/www.rodneystrong.com\/<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Rodney Strong Vineyards has already taken a number of steps6<\/sup> to increase the sustainability of its operations, to include:<\/p>\n