Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/501762
w w w. v w m m e d i a . c o m M a y - J u n e 2 015 | V I N E YA R D & W I N E RY M A N A G E M E N T 5 7 "There's got to be a return on investment if you're going to add additional passes or treatments to your farming practices," said Art Dawson, Ph.D., science advi- sor and a member of the board of directors at AgroThermal. "By giv- ing Mother Nature a boost with an intense blast of heat that doesn't damage the vine, growers have the means to proactively manage the growing cycle when vintage condi- tions are less than optimal." Dawson advised AgroThermal in staging its initial vineyard trials, which began in 2012 in California, Washington and Oregon. He said he has seen a reliable and consis- tent pattern of improved yields and a difference in quality in the fin- ished wines wherever trials have been conducted. "By stimulating plant processes at peak times peri- odically during the growing cycle, AgroThermal's flash heat technolo- gy goes well beyond ensuring even fruit set and higher yields." Delivered by what amounts to an industrial-strength blow dryer that can be pulled or towed behind a small tractor, flash treatment rais- es the ambient temperature of the canopy just long enough to improve set and help the vines hit crucial developmental milestones. HOT SPOT FOR VITICULTURE As a viticultural tool, flash heat technology is elegant in that it uses heated air in conjunction with the plant's own biological mech- anisms to achieve the desired results. Hot air (300°F) is blown onto the vine canopy at 25-100 mph from a tractor-pulled heat- ing unit traveling at 3-4 mph. It raises the temperature of clusters 15°F-20°F above ambient tempera- tures in the canopy and the heat dissipates back to ambient levels within 12-30 seconds. Timing, frequency and the tem- perature of passes are determined by the desired benefits being sought, as well as site and vintage conditions. In one trial, AgroTher- mal used early morning treatments The AgroThermal unit produced by Clemens GmbH can be configured for use on vines, fruit trees and row crops. Creating Valuable Buyer & Seller Relationships for Over 4 Decades SUPPLY CONCERNS? OPPORTUNITY UNCERTAINTY? LET US HELP YOU MAKE THE MOST PROFITABLE CHOICES. Turrentine Brokerage 7599 Redwood Blvd, Suite 103 Novato, Ca 94945 TurrentineBrokerage.com t: 415.209.9463