Although, to an extent, already deployed in Chablis, the last of the candles, ‘smudge-pots,’ trace-heating wires, heat-cannons and windmills were put in place in the Côte d’Or during Wednesday and Thursday.
For the last two nights, they have been put to use with temperatures well below zero Friday-Saturday, after the night before showed roughly 0°C. It seems tough in the Mâconnais too…
The frost of recent years has arrived around the 10th April – it’s 2 weeks earlier in 2026 – but with enough early growth that there will certainly be some yield-reducing damage.
For now, all we can do is watch and take stock – these are sleepless nights for the working vignerons…
There is one response to “2026’s early frost…”
Hi Bill, any news from your usual sources concerning potential frost damage? I have asked around myself, but so far no replies…
Hi Mike
A post in the works, but quickly from south to north:
Beaujolais some small damage on lower lying areas – like Romanèche-Thorins but higher vines seem okay – gamay recovers better from frost than pinot or chardonnay…
Mâconnais – certainly in the south (SV/PF) it seems no obvious problems
Côte d’Or – hardly any visible impact but there was some damage in parts of the Hautes Côtes, highly dependent on the parcel location.
Chablis – not great. Minus 6° in the worst affected areas and as much as 50% losses have been discussed in areas the couldn’t be protected – either logistically or economically. The insurers are inspecting this week, the results to follow, but one producer I spoke to today, suggested 25-40% losses in the affected parts…
Bestest, Bill