wind stress, can reduce vine yield and ripening in some exposed vineyards. Severe gusts of wind can have dramatic effects on vineyards, breaking shoots and removing leaves. However, even lower velocity wind can also cause vine problems which are apparent only to the trained eye. Wind cools plants by removing the warming effects of the sun’s rays, as well as other more substantial effects on physiology. For some plants, including vines, wind can have a major effect on growth. Shoot length, leaf area, and fruit growth can all be substantially reduced. The problem is particularly acute for young vines, as in older vineyards the canopy can usually offer some degree of self-protection.
