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Field trial in the Champagne region near Vandière: Innovation against late frost
Nestled in the rolling hills of the Marne, not far from the picturesque village of Vandière, lies one of France's most traditional wine regions – the heart of the Champagne region. Here, where calcareous soils and a unique microclimate have formed the basis for world-famous sparkling wines for centuries, nature is both a partner and a challenge.
In recent years, late frosts, in particular, have become a growing threat to vines. Climate change is increasingly causing vines to bud earlier—a dangerous time, as cold snaps in April or May can cause significant damage to young shoots.
To counteract this, an innovative field trial was launched in a vineyard near Vandière: A newly developed system for preventing late frost damage was tested under real-world conditions for the first time. Sensor-controlled heating elements and a finely tuned combination of temperature monitoring, ignition sequence, and surface distribution of the heating elements were used.
The local winegrowers were impressed by the simplicity and functionality of the technology: It was observed that the system is not only effective, but also energy-efficient and environmentally friendly – an important criterion for sustainable viticulture in sensitive cultural landscapes such as this.
The experiment at Vandière is a prime example of the symbiosis of tradition and innovation in Champagne: while the old vines are deeply rooted in the soil, the region's viticulture is looking to the future with modern technologies.
A hopeful sign that even in the face of the challenges of climate change, solutions are possible – and that the pearls of Champagne will continue to flow into glasses around the world in the years to come, in the same high quality as before.
Within a few hours, a well-coordinated team of three succeeded in fully equipping the selected vineyard with a network of temperature sensors and environmentally friendly heat sources. The focus was on speed and precision of installation—both crucial factors when a cold snap is imminent.
The temperature sensors were positioned precisely at the height of the sensitive young shoots, allowing them to accurately record the actual conditions in the critical area. As soon as the measured temperature fell below a preset threshold, the system automatically activated the connected heating elements.
These fuel elements ignited quickly and reliably – without external ignition or long lead times. An innovative technology was used that operates completely smoke-free. This means no obstruction of visibility, no odor pollution, and, above all, no impact on the grape quality or the ecosystem.
Another highlight: The fuels used consist exclusively of renewable raw materials – biodegradable, COâ‚‚-neutral, and locally produced. Thus, the system not only offers protection during frosty nights, but also a sustainable perspective for viticulture of the future.
After the fuel elements were automatically ignited, the desired effect was quickly apparent: Within less than half an hour, the temperature in the vicinity of the heated areas rose by several degrees Celsius compared to the unheated control areas. The temperature sensors registered a stable increase directly in the area of the young shoots—precisely where protection is most urgently needed.
What was remarkable was that this temperature effect wasn't just temporary, but persisted throughout the entire frosty night. Even during the critical morning hours, when temperatures often reach their lowest, the system was able to maintain the necessary heat output through IR radiation. The even distribution of heat along the rows of vines ensured that no area fell below the freezing point—a key advantage over point or convective heat sources.
Approximately twelve hours after the installed heating elements had burned down, the vineyard presented a calm, almost untouched scene. Only a small amount of fine, light-colored ash remained at the sites of use – a natural residue, completely free of contaminants or foreign particles. This ash residue was so minimal that it was easily absorbed by the soil during the next rainfall, without negatively affecting the structure or composition of the soil.
A particularly convincing result emerged from the assessment of the immediate vicinity of the heat sources: Even at a distance of just a few decimetres, no fire damage was evident to the ground vegetation. The turf remained intact, with no charring or drying out. Even the delicate young shoots, in the immediate vicinity of which the heat sources had been placed, showed no heat damage at all – neither discoloration nor wilted tissue.
These observations underline the high level of control and precision of the system: the heat emitted is sufficient to provide effective protection against frost, but remains well below the threshold at which damage could occur due to direct heat exposure.
The system not only leaves behind clean rows of vines, but also the good feeling that protection and sustainability do not have to be mutually exclusive in modern viticulture.
A particular added value of the field trial was the systematic recording of temperature data across the entire area. The precise placement of the sensors at vine height allowed not only for spot monitoring but also the creation of a two-dimensional thermal model.
Using this data, the temporal and spatial progression of heat release could be traced in detail: how quickly the temperature rose after the heating elements were ignited, how the heat spread along the vine rows, and how long it was retained. This 2D model forms the basis for sound planning of future deployments.
Based on the simulated temperature distribution, it is now possible to precisely determine the required distances between heat sources, depending on the expected frost intensity. In the actual experiment, the effective power density was approximately 200 to 300 kW per hectare – a value that has proven sufficient for moderate to severe radiation frosts.
Another key advantage of the system was its self-organizing mode of operation: The automatic ignition of the pre-distributed fuel elements based on locally measured temperatures ensures that only those heat sources that are actually needed are activated. This selective ignition behavior not only minimizes material and energy consumption but also ensures a very homogeneous temperature distribution across the entire vineyard.
Thanks to this intelligent interplay of sensors, local decision-making logic, and targeted heat release, an efficient protection mechanism is created that can be flexibly adapted to different frost situations – a practical, sustainable solution for modern viticulture.
Frost protection in the vineyard – How heat sources ward off frost
The simulation begins on a clear May day: a vineyard that will be covered in frost the following night under clear skies. But this time, it's prepared – every 5 meters, there are heat sources that emit predominantly infrared (IR) radiation and ignite themselves. They burn for 6–8 hours, protecting the delicate vines from the cold.
The heat map shows the spatially resolved temperature distribution in the vineyard – from 12:00 noon to the following noon. Red zones mark warm areas, while blue areas indicate cooler temperatures. However, thanks to the heat sources, the temperature remains above freezing everywhere.
The calculation provides not only a visual representation but also averages, maximums, and minimums of the temperature. This makes it clear that the heat sources are effectively keeping the frost at bay – and the vines remain protected.
An innovative solution for winegrowers who want to avoid frost damage and secure their harvest.