Frost Pots

Frosts can be a big problem for vineyards in some parts of Marlborough. The vines are particularly vulnerable to frost damage in the late spring and if not protected a whole crop can be wiped out overnight.
Over time I will photograph and document the various ways vines are protected from the ravages of an unexpected frost.
The use of these rather strange looking objects is one method of frost protection. They are Frost Pots and are considered a little old-fashioned these days.
This little group, tucked away in a corner of the Bluegums Vineyard, has not been used in a long time. When in use they are fired with diesel oil which produces rather pungent smoke and, more importantly, heat. This heat creates a draft which hopefully alleviates the risk of frost.
One can imagine the vineyard workers beavering away on a cold Winter's night, rushing around, placing the pots, fuelling them and setting them all alight. Quite a mammoth task!
The owner of the Bluegums Vineyard tells me that the geographical location of this particular stretch of land fortunately makes for a fairly frost-free environment.
A breeze that often comes down from the Taylor Pass and Taylor Dam to the south of the vineyard seems to prevent all but the heaviest of frosts. Quite a dramatic line can be observed along the hills skirting the head of the valley with frosty land on one side and non-frosted areas on the other side of that line.
In the meantime the frost pots remain in their present place, now more an object of curiosity for runners and mountain bikers passing by on the other side of the fence. The frost pots also make for a good blip.....