At the Vignoble du Ruisseau in Dunham, in Quebec’s Eastern Townships, rows of grape vines are taking their long winter’s nap under cocoons of insulating geotextile, covered with a layer of snow.
But these vines are benefitting from an extra source of heat to keep them comfortable during Quebec’s harsh winter freeze: geothermal energy.
The family that owns the vineyard believes it’s the first in the world to use the technology to protect grape vines from the cold.
“The thinking here is, go big or go home,” said Sara Gaston, general director of the Vignoble du Ruisseau.
The system, patented by the vineyard,
