Bay vineyards amass arsenal to beat frosts

REBECCA STEVENSON As the first chardonnay buds broke in vineyards across Hawke's Bay, grape growers were preparing for nature's threat to young vine growth - frost.
The beginning of September saw the region's first frosts, with vineyard managers making sure all was in order for the danger period which usually lasts until Labour Weekend.
With Friday forecast to fling a cool blanket over Hawke's Bay preparations are now in full swing. Helicopters from around the country are on stand-by, their propellers needed to push warm air down onto vulnerable vines.
New windmills have already been installed, "flippers" - water irrigation systems - checked and double checked to ensure they spring to life when needed.
Vineyards are humming with the sound of tractors, working their way along the vines, trimming grass right down to the ground so the earth can absorb more warmth during the day.
But despite all the pre-emptive action, a major frost can still severely damage young buds, said Maimai Creek operations manager Rob Beard: "Frost is an occupational hazard. Grape growers will spend the next few months just spending their time fighting frosts."
Frosts could now be predicted about five days beforehand, using forecasting tools from MetService, private weather reports and stations on the vineyard. Forecasts were now 85 to 90 per cent accurate.
"They have to be. If they predict and we don't get one then it's the boy who cried wolf. Don't predict one and we get one and we are in big trouble.
"We can feel frosts coming, then we just have to go out and wait," said Mr Beard.
Mission Estate Winery viticulturalist and vineyard manager Caine Thompson said early budding grapes like chardonnay, pinot gris and pinot noir were especially susceptible to frost at this stage of the season but it was a worrying time across all varieties.