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UNE helps winegrowers fight the big freeze

July 21, 2006

Tripodi.thumb.jpgScientists from the University of New England have come up with a new way to protect Australian cool-climate wine grapes from their worst enemy, frost. If successful, the technology promises to save the wine industry a fortune and replace frost protection methods ranging from the inelegant to the downright dirty.

“Right now there are only three methods for winegrowers to resist frost,” said David Lamb, the physicist in charge of the project. “Frost fans, overhead irrigation and smudge pots (pots of burning oil placed near the vine to prevent frost). Every one of these has serious disadvantages. We thought there had to be a better way.”

The “better way” Dr Lamb and his colleagues have devised employs the same type of cables that are used in underfloor heating systems to raise the temperature of the vines and prevent the fragile grape buds from freezing. Although grapevines can survive under six feet of winter snow, in spring the young grape buds are vulnerable to overnight frosts, which destroy the nascent grape bunches inside the buds. A severe frost can wipe out crops for two years. Dr Lamb and his colleagues believe their technology will protect the vines during these crucial spring months.

A three-year trial of the technology has begun at Peterson's Winery in Armidale, New England. The trial will be conducted on two blocks of Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc. For cool-climate winegrowers, results can't come a moment too soon.

“Frosts are our number one problem, early or late,” said Doug Hume, co-owner of Walden Woods Farm, a boutique winery located north of Armidale. “Rain around harvest time is also a problem, but I'd have to say it comes number two. Frost can be devastating.” Three years ago Mr Hume lost 95 per cent of his shoots to a severe frost. “These were our primary fruiting buds. The frost was so severe it actually damaged the bark. We still got a (secondary) yield, but it wasn't a good crop.”

Mr Hume said he hoped the new technology would provide an affordable, effective way of protecting regional crops from frost. “Right now we live with it, but it's a painful living,” he said. “If this heated cordon wire will make it safer to grow young buds in spring then many New England growers will definitely be interested.”

Remarkably, the three-year trial was established without a cent of grant money, thanks to the generous support of a number of corporate sponsors. Country Energy donated linework and three year's free electricity. DEVI Heating Systems, a Sydney-based underfloor heating company, supplied the insulated heating cable. Peterson's Winery are providing the grapes.

“All up, the in-kind between all the parties comes to about $90,000, yet not a cent has changed hands,” Dr Lamb said. “This project is a great example of researchers working with industry to get an outcome, as well as creating a whole new market for the sponsors to sell their products.”

The project will be officially launched by NSW minister for energy Joe Tripodi at 12.30pm on Friday, July 21 at Peterson's Vineyard, south-east of Armidale on Dangarsleigh Rd.

THE PHOTOGRAPH displayed here shows (from left) Mr Joe Tripodi, Professor Alan Pettigrew, and Associate Professor David Lamb.

Posted by Leon Braun at July 21, 2006 11:06 AM