I'm also in Blenheim.  I slept like baby last night.  But then my SO was in Welly last night, so no-one to wake me up.

I didn't think it wasn't that cold last night.  I'm surprised the choppers were up.  Maybe it was colder up the valley.

gzt: That seems unpleasant, expensive, and not a sound environmental solution.

I'm surprised no-one has come up with a better way, in the 10+ years this has been going on.

It's only a few times per year.  Not a big deal, compared to the economic benefits it generates.

Burns a bit of kerosene, but a tiny amount in the global scheme of things.  It would be interesting to know how much soil carbon accumulates in vineyards vs the annual burn of kero to protect the buds.

Some vineyards have frost fans instead.  But it can be hard to get approval to install those, as people living nearby often object.  Then they go to the supermarket and buy wine.

MikeAqua:

 

I didn't think it wasn't that cold last night.  I'm surprised the choppers were up.  Maybe it was colder up the valley.

 

-1 up the Wairau last night - the fans started about midnight.

MikeAqua:

Some vineyards have frost fans instead.  But it can be hard to get approval to install those, as people living nearby often object.  Then they go to the supermarket and buy wine.

Bung: Depends on the area

"Masterton District Council said that under the Wairarapa Combined District Plan there were no noise level limits on frost fans in the Rural Primary Production Zone."

When they go to the supermarket it's likely to be cheaper Aus sourced wine they're buying. An old friend of ours sadly no longer with us joked that he couldn't afford to drink wine from his own vineyard at the prices he was getting.

Water sprays can be an option but there's rarely enough water.

I was referring to Marlborough.  As I understand it there are noise level standard beyond which a resource consent is required.

I can't comment on Masterton.  The first thought it brings to mind is Raybon Kan's line: "Death/Masterton. Death/Masterton.  So, tell me about death again".

I see plenty of NZ wine for sale in the supermarket, so someone is buying it.

But, wherever wine is being grown it is having an impact, noise, emissions water use, whatever.

MikeAqua:

 

I was referring to Marlborough.  As I understand it there are noise level standard beyond which a resource consent is required.

 

 

 

TBH the sounds limits are pretty easy to meet these days - especially in rural areas. It is pretty difficult to object and all the new developments include fans. They will get them within a few hundred meters of a dwelling without triggering resource consent. The fan technology is improving so in theory they are quieter - at least enough to meet councils standards. Still intrusive but not as bad as helicopters flying around.

nutbugs:

 

TBH the sounds limits are pretty easy to meet these days - especially in rural areas. It is pretty difficult to object and all the new developments include fans. They will get them within a few hundred meters of a dwelling without triggering resource consent. The fan technology is improving so in theory they are quieter - at least enough to meet councils standards. Still intrusive but not as bad as helicopters flying around.

 

It's a pity the fans can't be used to generate electricity when it's windy.

Foam earplugs.

MikeAqua:

 

It's a pity the fans can't be used to generate electricity when it's windy.

 

Haha - that was the first thing I said when I first saw them - especially given how well they go in a nice Marlborough breeze :)