Winiarski's new climate index

California’s new growing season marks the beginning of another year of an ambitious research effort to update the Amerine–Winkler heat-summation index, popularly known as the Winkler method of climate classification. Famed winemaker Warren Winiarksi, founder of Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars and now Arcardia Vineyards in Coombsville, is funding the effort. UC Davis viticulture professor Dr Beth Forrestel is leading the research. They are seen together above in a photo provided by the university.

While the new study is especially relevant to...