CLIMATE

The proximity of the Shenandoah River, orientation of numerous canyons and valleys, and varying elevations produce many different distinct microclimates in the Shenandoah AVA. The area benefits from the largest swing between high daytime and low nighttime temperatures of any region in Virginia as a result of the cool air that flows east through the Blue Ridge near Mount Weather and south along the Shenandoah River Valley. The region’s summer is characterized by warm, clear days, generally unencumbered by clouds, fog or severe winds. Daytime high temperatures in the summer typically fall between 85 and 105 degrees Fahrenheit, but nighttime low temperatures usually can drop to 73 degrees, cooled by a our thermal belt and the proximity to the river. This diurnal fluctuation is considered a key by winemakers and wine grape growers to attain the intense varietal character displayed in wine grapes from the area.

September, October and the first half of November are typically rain-free and warm, giving Virginia Shenandoah Valley vines the advantage of time to produce fully mature fruit, while the overnight cooling keeps the grapes’ acid chemistry in balance. The first rainfall of the season is typically about two weeks later than central Virginia, and a month later than Southern Virginia, giving winemakers the luxury of waiting for optimal ripeness. Winter temperatures tend to dip into the low twenties in the cooler regions, with most vineyards becoming fully dormant by mid-December. Frost is a potential threat through mid-May, especially following a western weather system.