Protecting Elbe Valley Vineyards from Nighttime Frost: The Controlled Vineyard Burning Method
Arsonal activities conducted in the Elbe valley vineyards during the night for vine preservation - Arson lit along Elbe valley to preserve grape harvests at night
Protecting precious grapevines from late frost in the Elbe Valley calls for some unconventional measures, like controlled small fires. Last Tuesday, about 28 hectares of the Schloss Wackerbarth state winery saw hundreds of such fires lit under the cover of night, shielding over 100,000 vine stocks from potential yield losses.
As Martin Junge, Wackerbarth's spokesman, explains, "The young shoots are particularly vulnerable to temperatures below freezing point. The controlled fires help create a warm environment around the vines, keeping them intact." He expresses cautious optimism about the fires' effectiveness, mentioning that the vines still appear healthy.
Martin compares the situation to the frosty 2024 season but emphasizes that the current weather conditions are more akin to local ground frost under a clear sky, which can brown and kill young shoots. In the past, these fears were curbed with the help of frost candles and smoke.
The winemakers used frost candles and small fires in Weinböhla, Diebar-Seußlitz, and Laubach. In Weinböhla, the candles were placed around an eight-hectare area rich in Solaris, Muscaris, and Pinotin vines. Meanwhile, Diesbar-Seußlitz and Laubach, devoid of neighboring vineyards, employed smoke fires and small controlled fires instead. With costs mounting to a five-digit sum, these frost protection methods prove to be significant expenditures for the wineries.
The capricious weather following early budding in 2022 left Saxon winemakers with only 20% of their usual harvest. The second budding of the vines provided minimal make-up, with vineyard management requiring considerably more investment.
The Green Party is voicing concerns over sluggish aid disbursement for Elbe Valley vineyards, criticizing the province for paying out only 40% of the promised 1.32 million euros aid despite 38 wine operations submitting applications. Future payments for the industry should flow more promptly, as the Greens advocate.
In contrast, fruit growers have benefitted from quicker aid disbursement, with 90% of funds already paid out.
Controlled nighttime burning in vineyards is a common strategy to ward off frost damage. The method works by generating warmth from burning material, like old vine trimmings or straw, which temporarily elevates the air temperature to protect the vines. This solution proves effective when weather conditions are suitable, such as minimal wind and mild frost.
The costs associated with controlled burning include equipment, labor, fuel, materials, and insurance for potential uncontrolled fires. Government support or assistance subsidies may be available for vineyard owners in regions with significant frost risks.
- The Commission has also been consulted on the draft regulation regarding controlled vineyard burning methods to protect vineyards from late frost, as it serves as an effective strategy to ward off frost damage by generating warmth from burning materials.
- Science and environmental-science, in conjunction with climate-change research, play a crucial role in understanding the environmental impacts of controlled vineyard burning methods and their potential implications in mitigating weather-related threats, such as nighttime frost, in vineyards.
- As more emphasis is placed on preserving the Elbe Valley vineyards, it is essential to consider the temperatures that may arise during the controlled burning process and how they could affect local flora and fauna, ensuring the overall health and sustainability of the environment.
- In light of the upcoming year 2024, with concerns over potential frost seasons, it would be advantageous for winemakers to start investigating and implementing more sustainable frost protection methods, while also taking into account the environmental impacts of traditional techniques, like controlled vineyard burning.
- Vineyard burnings are often employed in areas with a higher risk of frost, such as Weinböhla, Diebar-Seußlitz, and Laubach, but it is essential to evaluate the long-term consequences on the environment and climate, addressing concerns about the potential contribution to greenhouse gas emissions as part of the ongoing debate surrounding the balance between vineyard preservation and environmental sustainability.
