Next-gen viticulture: The future of intelligent farming in the wine industry

Wednesday, 14 August, 2024
Wine Industry Advisor, Teri van Aalst
Precision agriculture using AI is changing vineyard management by giving a level of detail and control not available before.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming industries across the globe, and the wine sector is no exception. Amid the growing climate crisis, embracing AI is crucial. Researchers are leveraging the technology to assist wineries in adapting to climate changes and improving day-to-day farming practices with its predictive capabilities. In many instances, winemakers are integrating AI to refine agricultural methods, boost efficiency and promote sustainability. Here’s a glimpse into the future of the wine industry, revealing what lies ahead as AI continues to shape its evolution in the vineyard.

Swift and ongoing development

David Carter is CEO and co-founder of Deep Planet, a groundbreaking agritech startup born from the vision of Oxford University scientists and engineers. The company, granted by the European Space Agency, aims to aid agriculture in adapting to climate change using advanced machine learning. Deep Planet’s technology supports growers, winemakers and sustainability teams in optimizing vineyard management, efficiency, disease control and overall sustainability.

One notable AI product from Deep Planet is VineSignal, which monitors regenerative agriculture, soil health and sustainability. VineSignal tracks soil and plant nutrients, soil organic carbon and water management, including irrigation leaks and evapotranspiration. It also improves harvest logistics and efficiency, enhances grape quality by pinpointing the best harvest times, and creates yield maps. Additionally, it detects diseases and risks to vine health, covering major pests and diseases and supporting regular vineyard surveys. Vine technology aids in achieving carbon-neutral certifications and enhances sustainability throughout supply chains.

Carter highlights the rapid advancement of AI in vineyards, noting that new applications and innovations are emerging frequently. He observes, “Wineries are increasingly adopting AI tools for vineyard management and winemaking processes.” Further stating, “AI is progressing beyond basic tasks, with developments in disease prediction, irrigation optimization and wine quality forecasting. As data accumulates, AI algorithms are becoming more accurate and reliable. The evolution of AI in viticulture is both swift and ongoing.”

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