ALTITUDE= Height of an Object or Point In Relation to Sea Level
ELEVATION= Height of an Object or Point In Relation to the Earths Surface.

-As Altitude Increases, Atmosphere Thins and the Barrier Between Sun and Earth’s Surface Lessens, Increasing        Light Intensity

ULTRA-VIOLET LIGHT/ RADIATION= Form of Radiation and Light Which is Part of Electromagnetic Spectrum. UV. Light Comes From the Sun and Slowly Becomes Greater at Higher Elevations.

-High Altitude Viticulture Disclaimer-
-Viticultural Benefits and Challenges of Growing at High Altitudes Must Always be Put In Context. What is Beneficial to One High Altitude Area May be a Challenge to Another High Altitude Area and Vice Versa. Is the High Altitude Vineyard Flat or On a Elevated Hillside. The Proximity to Mountains and Water Masses Must be Figured In. What is High Altitude Viticulture In Argentina at 5,000 Feet is Different From High Altitude Viticulture In Napa at 1,800 Feet or In Burgundy at 1,000 Feet.
-Grape Ripen with Two Processes…Heat and Light, Generally Heat Ripens Sugars While Light Ripens Phenolics and Flavor Compounds

VITICULTURE BENEFIT– -Elevated Altitude-

-Major Effect On a Vineyards Climate
-Influences a Grape Growing Potential. A Grapes Biological Reaction is to Protect its Seeds by Increasing its Skins Thickness. By Producing a Thicker Pigmented Skin to Adapt and Thrive with Increased Climatic Conditions Including Ultraviolet Exposure, Heat and Wind.
-Lower Temperatures and Higher Solar Radiation at Altitudes Make for More Concentrated Flavors.
-Intensity of Aroma, Fruit, Structure and Varietal Characteristics
-More Light and Greater Intensity of Light
-Health Benefits- There’s Evidence That Red Wines Grown at Higher Elevation Possess Greater Levels of Antioxidant Properties Including Resveratrol In Response to the Greater Natural UV. Sunlight.

VITICULTURE CHALLENGE– -Elevated Altitude-

-Lower Temperature and Higher Solar Radiation
-Managing the Tannins(Tannin Concentration In Greater)
-Lower Harvest Yields
-Possibility for Sunburn
-Possibility of High Winds

VITICULTURE CHALLENGE– -Hillside Vineyards-

-Specialized Equipment and Manpower Needed to Farm Variable Terrain
-Shallow Soils, Well Drained Soils That Don’t Hold Water
-Variations to the Angle of the Sun
**Ref to “NAPA/ Mountain vs. Vally Floor” for Addtional Information

“High Altitude Regions In Old World”

ACHAIA @Peloponnese
*Topography- SLOPES/ +Alt.1,050 mt.
METSOVO @Epirus, Greece
*Topography- SLOPES/ Mt.Pindus +Alt.1,100 mt.
NEMEA @Peloponnese
*Topography- SLOPES/ +Alt.950 mt.
VISPERTERMINEN @Swiss
*Topography- SLOPES/ +Alt.1,100 mt.
–Producer/ Vineyards– St. Modern Kellerei
TENERIFE @Canary Islands
*Topography- SLOPES/ +Alt.1,700 mt.
–Producer/ Vineyards–                             WHITE=
ARMENIA @Armenia
*Topography- SLOPES/ Caucasus Mountains, +Alt.1,500 mt.
–Producer/ Vineyards– Zorah, Karasi RED=Areni Noir
GRANADA @Andalucia
*Topography- SLOPES/ +Alt.1,368 mt.
–Producer/ Vineyards– Barranco Oscuro WHITE=
ETNA DOC. @Sicilia
*Topography- SLOPES/ Mt.Etna +Alt.1,300 mt.
–Producer/ Vineyards– Salvo Foti, Vigna di Bosco RED=
MORGEX et LA SALLE @Val d’Aosta
*Topography- SLOPES/ Alps +Alt.1,225 mt.
–Producer/ Vineyards– Cave Mont Blanc, Vini Estremi, WHITE= Prie Blanc

“High Altitude Regions In New World”

NAPAL @
*Topography- SLOPES/ +Alt.9,020 ft.
KINGOM of BHUTAN @
*Topography- SLOPES/ +Alt.7,500 ft.
GRAND VALLEY AVA. @Colorado
*Topography- SLOPES/ +Alt.6,417 ft.
SALTA @Argentina
*Topography- SLOPES/ Andes +Alt.3,010 mt.
–Producer/ Vineyard– Colome/ Altura Maxima Vineyard, RED= Malbec
ELQUI VALLEY @Coquimbo/ Chile
*Topography- SLOPES/ +Alt.2,200 mt.
–Producer/ Vineyard– Vinedos de Alcohauz
CENTRAL RANGES @Adelaide Hills
*Topography- SLOPES/ +Alt.
TUPUNGATO @Aconcaua Valley
*Topography- SLOPES/ +Alt.
FAIR PLAY AVA. @Sierra Foothills
*Topography- SLOPES/ +Alt.2,900 ft.
MOUNT VEEDER AVA. @Napa
*Topography- SLOPES/ Mayacamas +Alt.2,600 ft.
LAKE COUNTY AVA. @Lake County
*Topography- SLOPES/ +Alt.2,400 ft.
ROGUE VALLEY AVA. @Southern Oregon
*Topography- SLOPES/ +Alt.2,490 ft.
–Producer/ Vineyard– Yank Gulch
**Refer to “LOCATIONS“ for Additional Information