- Temperature – between 50 degrees fahrenheit (10 degrees centigrade) to 63 degrees fahrenheit (17 degrees centigrade).
- Sunshine – sunny days well into autumn are crucial as harvesting takes place September to October (March or April in the southern hemisphere).
- Rainfall – 20 inches (500mm) to 30 inches (750mm) per annum.
- Frost – winter frosts are fine but frost late in Spring can curtail the quantity of grapes produced as it damages the spring shoots.
- Winds – wind chill may “burn” the vines or blow leaves off. Conversely winds in higher temperature climates helps moderate the heat.
- Drainage – irrigation is often used to control the rainwater. Vineyards are often on sloping sights which afford natural drainage.
- Altitude – temperature falls 1.83 fahrenheit (1 degrees centigrade) every 100m above sea level. Thus vineyards’ altitude can be affected when manipulating the quality and character of its crop if the grape takes longer to ripen, resulting in higher acidity.