Terrace: Difference between revisions
Created page with "'''Terrace''' viticulture refers to the construction of stepped vineyard plots on sloping terrain, designed to create level surfaces for vine planting. Terraces have been used since antiquity in regions where viticulture is challenged by steep landscapes, allowing vines to be cultivated on otherwise inaccessible land.<ref>Robinson (ed.), ''The Oxford Companion to Wine'', Oxford University Press, 2015.</ref> == Background == Terraces are particularly asso..." |
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Latest revision as of 09:53, 26 August 2025
Terrace viticulture refers to the construction of stepped vineyard plots on sloping terrain, designed to create level surfaces for vine planting. Terraces have been used since antiquity in regions where viticulture is challenged by steep landscapes, allowing vines to be cultivated on otherwise inaccessible land.[1]
Background
Terraces are particularly associated with mountainous or river-valley vineyards where slopes are too steep for conventional planting. By cutting into the hillside or building up retaining walls, growers create small, flat parcels that prevent soil from sliding downslope. This system has long been documented in areas such as the Douro Valley of Portugal and the Mosel in Germany.[2]
Characteristics
Terraces are generally supported by stone walls or earth banks and may vary greatly in size, from narrow strips accommodating a single row of vines to broader platforms holding several rows. Their design enhances sunlight interception and reduces erosion by slowing water runoff.[3] Terraces can also influence the soil’s heat retention, as stone walls store and radiate warmth during the night, contributing to more stable ripening conditions.
Viticultural Importance
Terracing is vital for maintaining vineyard soils on steep slopes, where erosion and water loss would otherwise be severe.[4] It allows vines to access thin soils while improving drainage and exposure to light. However, these benefits come at a cost: terraced vineyards are labour-intensive to maintain, and mechanisation is often impractical, making cultivation expensive. Despite these challenges, terraces are prized for their role in producing distinctive wines linked to dramatic landscapes.
Examples in Wine Regions
The Douro Valley in Portugal provides one of the most striking examples of terraced vineyards, where centuries of stonework support vines used for Port wine production.[5] In Germany’s Mosel, extremely steep terraces on slate soils define the region’s Riesling wines. The Rhône Valley in France also features narrow terraces built into schist and granite slopes, while the Lavaux in Switzerland is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site for its terraced vineyards along Lake Geneva.
See also
References
- ↑ Robinson (ed.), The Oxford Companion to Wine, Oxford University Press, 2015.
- ↑ Johnson & Robinson, The World Atlas of Wine, 8th ed., 2019.
- ↑ Gladstones, Viticulture and Environment, Winetitles, 1992.
- ↑ Van Leeuwen & Seguin, “The concept of terroir in viticulture”, Journal of Wine Research, Vol. 17, No. 1, 2006.
- ↑ Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e Porto (IVDP), “Douro terraces”, ivdp.pt.