menu
Location: Southeast England and Bordeaux Region, France
Project/Case: Three vineyards in the Southeast of England and at one in Bordeaux, France.
Year: 2025
The Challenge
Spring frosts can devastate vineyards, with temperatures as mild as –2°C capable of wiping out up to 50% of a season’s yield.
Climate change has brought earlier bud-burst and more frequent frost events, creating increased risk. Traditional protection methods—such as fire bougies, fans, and sprinklers—have limitations, including environmental impact, labour demands, or high operating costs.
The Heatcom Solution
Heatcom developed a custom vineyard heating cable, designed specifically for outdoor agricultural use.
Durable construction: UV-stable outer insulation, fluoropolymer and XLPE inner layers
20-year cable warranty – industry-leading longevity
Automated operation: Plug-and-play control panels and air temperature sensors
Flexible power options: 230V or 410V, mains or generator supply
The system prioritises convective heat transfer, which moves warm air past the buds, significantly reducing frost damage.
Installation & Testing
Date Installed: 2025
Locations: Three sites in Southeast England, one in Bordeaux, France
System Specs: Bespoke cable lengths, plug-and-play control gear
During a severe frost event in May 2025 (temperatures down to –3°C for over 3 hours), Heatcom-protected vines suffered 83% less frost damage than unprotected control rows.
Protected vines: Loss of just 0.66 buds/shoots per vine
Unprotected vines: Loss of 3.89 buds/shoots per vine
The Heatcom system can pay for itself in as little as two seasons by protecting crops that would otherwise be lost. Operating costs compare favourably to gas heaters, and capital investment is similar to running fire bougies for just four frost nights—without the manpower and environmental downsides.
VINEYARD_CASE_STUDY_Heatcom_EN_V1.pdf
We consistently strive to develop & build serious and long-term cooperative partnerships with our partners and suppliers.
