Innovative frost control a first for the region

Innovative frost control a first for the region

Martinborough employed innovative frost fighting techniques on Sunday evening as they prepared to fight potentially the worst frost this season. While helicopters are a common sight during this time of year, turning the wine village into a replica war zone, some wineries are going the extra distance to protect their well tendered vines.

One vineyard desparately in need of an instant shelter belt to protect a particularly vulnerable area pleaded to the community spirit in the town and managed to get the local Transport Company to assist by parking its entire fleet of trucks alongside the vines.

Chris Archer, winemaker for Alana Estate said "I had this idea that if we could just create some kind of instant wall we would be fine with our wind machines and frost pots combined. A wall of big trucks seemed the perfect solution."

"Trevor Hawkins, owner of Martinborough Transport is a big supporter of the community and got all his guys in behind the idea. I think they all enjoyed helping out, and it certainly made a big difference in terms of protecting the vines."

"Our viticulturalist and his team also rigged up our tractor with fans to act as a giant blowdryer, we're really going all out", said Chris Archer.

Vineyards in the region spend thousands of dollars every year protecting their vines during this vulnerable time when the buds are beginning to form and just before flowering.

ENDS

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