Navigating climate change in viticulture by water management automation, climate-friendly farming, and AI advancements
By Laurie Wachter
Note: This article summarizes key insights from industry experts and vineyard professionals who presented at the Growing Forward Virtual Event. To watch the broadcast, click here: https://www.youtube.com/
The recent Growing Forward Vineyard & Grower Virtual Conference (July 19) explored vital topics related to vineyard water management, climate change effects and the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in viticulture. As climate variability intensifies due to global warming, grape growers are faced with the need to adopt innovative approaches for sustainable and adaptable vineyard practices.
Optimizing Irrigation Practices in a Time of Change
Growing Forward began by shedding light on the challenges of climate change, including more frequent and prolonged droughts and, conversely, heavy rainfall. To address these issues, experts emphasized the importance of optimizing irrigation practices. Mark Greenspan, president of Advanced Viticulture, highlighted soil moisture sensors and tensiometers as promising technologies to help tackle climate variability.
“Irrigation practices haven’t changed that drastically,” noted Steve Vierra, director of vineyard operations at Derby Wine Estates in Paso Robles, Calif. “The goal is always the same; the challenge is adapting to what’s thrown at you.”
JT Jaeger, from Jackson Family Wines, shared how to leverage historical soil moisture data to fine-tune irrigation practices, ensuring optimal soil moisture levels throughout different growth stages. The panel sees tensiometers, which provide real-time water potential measurements, as more accurate alternatives to conventional methods such as weekly pressure bombings.
Mike Anderson, a viticulture consultant at Peake Ranch Winery in Buellton, Calif., advises growers to embrace technology but underscores the importance of having someone to interpret the data collected.
Climate-Friendly Farming: A New Frontier for the Wine Industry
The next session delved into what vineyard owners and growers can do to increase carbon sequestration and reduce carbon emissions. The California Land Stewardship Institute’s Fish Friendly Farming Environmental Certification program collaborates with farmers to evaluate the effectiveness of their vineyard practices in this regard.
Its executive director, Laurel Marcus, pointed out, “Soil types are the crux of how you sequester carbon. The soil must have a fairly large amount of clay and silt to be more effective at capturing carbon.”
Several vineyards, such as the one managed by Brad Petersen surrounding Silver Oak Cellars’ Alexander Valley Winery, have taken eco-friendly measures, including solar energy use, wastewater treatment with a membrane bioreactor and advanced steam systems for barrel cleaning.
Peterson said the experience helped them “discover that tilling every other row will sequester more carbon while keeping the grape quality high.”
Similarly, Riggs Lokka at Emeritus Vineyards (Sebastopol, Calif.) employs native shrub hedgerows and dry farming to increase carbon sequestration despite challenging sandy soil conditions. Tyler Klick, viticulturist at Redwood Vineyard Management, benefits from natural carbon sequestration through trees on the site, combined with no-till practices and winter grass cover crops.
“We were the first certified third-party sustainable operator in 2011,” said Klick, “but we had no way to measure our carbon sequestration and emissions before the program. Now we better understand the best way to change our practices to increase them.”
AI Advancements in Vineyard Irrigation
In the last session, Tom Shapland, founder of Tule, defined AI in simple terms, and the speakers discussed its potential application in viticulture. Tule Vision is powered by AI that uses iPhone imagery to measure evapotranspiration and provide irrigation recommendations based on water stress levels.
Carlos Danti and Margarita Postoronca of Chandon shared their experiences using Tule and HotSpot Ag, a precision irrigation system that integrates Tule’s AI recommendations for water-efficient vineyard management.
Despite the promise of AI, Danti emphasizes that there is still a gap between gathering information from new technology and effectively applying it in the vineyard. Shapland sees real hope in other potential uses of AI in vineyard management, such as computer vision that can self-adjust tractor travel for pruning and improve tractor control during shoot thinning.
The Future of Viticulture
As climate change drives variability in weather, embracing technology to increase adaptability and improve farming practices to reduce environmental impact are crucial to passing on viticulture to future generations.
To hear more on these topics, watch the Growing Forward videos at Wine Industry Network on YouTube and sign up to attend WIN Expo’s November sessions on streamlining irrigation with automation to increase efficiency and lower costs, carbon sequestration in the vineyard and the latest learnings on restoring soil health with regenerative agriculture.
Interested in in-person Vineyard & Grower education?
The 2023 WIN Expo on November 30, 2023 will host a Vineyard & Grower conference track featuring three sessions devoted to grower education & information. Save the date and sign up for registration notifications.
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Laurie Wachter
Laurie developed her love of analytics and fascination with automation while advising consumer packaged goods companies, including Kraft Foods, PepsiCo and the Altria Group, on their direct-to-consumer marketing. Today, she writes about innovation in the wine and food & beverages industry for a global client base.
