Frost fans to the rescue

Patrick Ferry, Geoff Wright and Josh Smith from Hydralada, Hawke’s Bay, with a new frost fan. Picture by Paul Rickard

Gisborne winemaker Geoff Wright was on the money with his forecast this week, bringing in a frost fan to protect this year’s grapes.

“Our Ormond Valley vineyard is known as the Grand Cru appellation of Gisborne. This location produces exceptional grapes and has a much higher risk of late frosts compared to other appellations in Gisborne,” Mr Wright said on Monday.

“With the effects of the weather during  the last two vintages and losing our 2023 crop to a polar blast in October last year, we cannot afford the risk of losing another crop.

“Hydralada from Hawke’s Bay produces a frost fan unit under the brand Tow and Blow. After extensive research and a demonstration after Monday’s frost in Gisborne, we have decided to take the plunge to mitigate these frosts on our Ormond Valley vineyard.”

Mr Wright had considered launching a crowdfunding campaign to buy the unit.

“Under the current economic climate we have decided against this. Hydralada put together a great finance proposal over a four-year period.

“We hope to still offer our customers some great wine packages over the next few weeks to help raise a deposit for

the unit. These will be available direct from our web page www.wrightswines.co.nz and promoted on our Facebook page.”