When we think of winemaking, one of the last things that come to our mind is technology. Winegrowing and winemaking are more than just a business; they are a way of life. A lot of components are required for the manufacture of high-quality wine. This comprises high-quality varietal seedlings, the vineyard’s location, adequate treatment, ongoing seedling care, timely harvesting, and knowledge of the production process. The key to all of this is a person; an expert who can grow a vine and make wine he can be proud of. Vine and wine production are constant industries, unlike some agricultural products that do not require much dedication until they reach their maximum yield.
“Modern technologies and automation are disrupting the wine industry as we speak”, says CTO of 8wines.com Sergey Nekipelov. “From the production to the last mile technology that delivers wine to your door, the opportunities to make things run more efficiently are endless”.
Furthermore, the agricultural and wine-making industries face everyday challenges. Manual data collecting on bigger areas and then wine production has its limits that prevent producers from fully optimizing the production process.
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How digital technologies can help wine producers
Growers can react to change and have control over all aspects of production thanks to technological advancements and their implementation. There are various categories in which digital tools are used in winegrowing and winemaking. We present to you the most popular ones.
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Business tracking software
Production management with all data in one place is possible thanks to the use of specialized software. Manufacturers can keep track of the yield plan, activity log, fuel usage, fertilizers, protective equipment, mechanization data, and financial management by using the program.
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Robots
The use of robots in vine-growing allows for the automation of weed control tasks. Agricultural robots can control weeds on their own using GPS coordinates and computers, and they can even be used for harvesting. Robots equipped with artificial intelligence are seen by some as an essential tool to mitigate the effects of drought, fluctuating temperatures, and changes in harvest times.
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Sensors
Growers monitor temperature, changes in weather, wind speed and direction, soil quality, grapevine condition, and other data that are critical for grapevine growth by installing sensors in the vineyard. Sensors gather the information that can be utilized to better manage resources and adapt to changing circumstances. A prompt response, for example, allows for the treatment of grapevine pests and diseases in afflicted areas and the prevention of their spread.
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Use of renewable energy sources
Solar power plants with lower installed capacity (suited for the industry) can improve energy efficiency and, for example, minimize water usage. The vineyard can use the electricity generated by the solar power plant.
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Wine deliveries by drone
If low-cost drones can carry wine deliveries to consumers, the direct-to-consumer delivery business might be completely challenged. “Same-day” delivery of wine and alcohol is now the norm in certain big cities. So brace yourselves for the next major shift in delivery schedules. According to some experts in the wine industry, near-instantaneous wine delivery in 30 minutes or less will become the new standard. Of course, employing drones to transport things may seem futuristic, but keep in mind that Amazon already has an Amazon Prime Air concept that incorporates flying drones capable of carrying packages weighing up to 5 pounds (2.2 kilograms).
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Smart equipment is used in all phases of the manufacturing process
The application of modern technology in production enables its continuous improvement. However, its use in the storage part also provides adequate conditions for wine maturation, such as temperature, amount of carbon dioxide, and light intensity in wine cellars. Using digital technologies, producers have real-time data and can make decisions that will help them improve efficiency and produce higher quality wines. The application of modern technology reduces the use of pesticides, which ultimately contributes to environmental protection. Some situations cannot be influenced, but by applying knowledge, modern production and digital technology, a technologically excellent process can be achieved that will result in such a wine.
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Digital technology in the service of wine tourism
Wineries now offer tastings, tours of vineyards and production facilities, mini wine schools, and the service of preparing and serving food and beverages, as wine tourism has grown in popularity in recent years. Wine tourism has established itself as one of the most important rural tourism goods in many places. Winemakers boost their marketing and show themselves in international markets by attending fairs or other scheduled gatherings in order to stand out among a huge number of wineries. However, social media continues to play a significant role in winery marketing. By uploading images on social media, the winery’s content and offer reach a wide number of individuals.
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Wine tourism and its benefits
The development of wine tourism delivers several benefits to rural places. The most notable is an increase in wine sales in wineries, as well as an increase in the number of visitors and the specific destination. The use of digital technology can considerably improve the wine-making process as well as the process of introducing a wine brand to new users. As modern and digital technologies require a lot of money, manufacturers should include them in their investment plan and apply for relevant EU tenders where they can acquire co-financing for such investments.
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