Homoclime Analysis

Homoclime selection

A homoclime is a place with a climate similar to your region. Imagine how it could guide you in your variety choice if you knew the closest homoclimes to your property around Australia and indeed, around the world. Our homoclime analysis concentrates on temperature and rainfall. We have a massive data base of climate data available from all around the world. As well we can access information showing which varieties grow in which regions. We have developed statistical methods to search out the closest homoclimes to your region. If your property is in a region which does not have a climate recording station, we have special techniques to calculate the climate in your region.

Such information will guide you in your variety choice, and maybe rootstock. We can also predict risk of certain diseases like Downy Mildew and Botrytis, and also frost.

Regional Analysis

Climate data is now available in 'gridded' form, with climate estimated down to a small grid size, typically 2km X 2km. This provides a powerful tool for homoclime searches. For example, you can search for homoclimes in Australia of any famous vineyard region and produce maps of their location.

As well, predictions can be made of disease and frost risk. Gridded data is available for Australia and is being sought for other countries.

Meso Climate Analysis

This service has been used by clients in Australia, europe and the USA.

What if your property is not near a climate recording station, or if there is a variation in topography on your property? You can measure temperature and humidity gradients using miniature data loggers in protective screens around your property, and compare these with a nearby climate recording station.

We can arrange supply of data loggers, and advise about their installation. We also provide an analysis of the data. For example, for each month we can tell you how maximum and minimum temperatures on your vineyard site vary from the nearest climate recording station. Then we can calculate equivalent long term average weather records for your property.

For more information, contact Dr Richard Smart at Smart Viticulture on vinedoc@bigpond.net.au