Digital Transformation in Winemaking: Blending Tradition and Innovation
A recent article written by Arable’s Patrick Quigley for Wine Industry Advisor shares insights on how vintners and vineyard operators can successfully navigate the digital landscape while preserving the ancient craft of winemaking.
According to Patrick, “The journey of digital transformation in the winemaking industry is a blend of tradition, innovation, and continuous learning.” In the piece, he highlights the importance of gradual and tailored integration of digital tools to enhance specific aspects of the wine-making process, from data-driven viticulture to crafting an engaging digital customer experience.
Meet Patrick Quigley
Patrick is not only an expert on digital agriculture for viticulture but is also an experienced winemaker and business owner. He has held positions with the research labs of WSU-IAREC to develop agricultural land in the Napa Valley. This background in hybrid roles that demand both technical expertise and astute business development strategies has given him a deep understanding of the winemaking space and made him skilled at thinking outside the box.
Putting AgTech to Work in the Vineyard
Patrick points out the growing need for tech innovations in the wine industry. A number of innovations are suited for wine growing, such as smart irrigation systems, crop intelligence systems, and crop monitoring. These technologies enable users to optimize resources, reduce the ecological impact, respond to climate change, and plan for the future. For instance, agriculture technology has become a powerful tool for Treasury Wine Estates (TWE), a globally renowned wine company. To better respond to rapidly changing environments, TWE combines traditional farming methods with an in-field crop intelligence system that correlates weather, plant, soil, and irrigation insights with vineyard health and grape quality. Will Drayton, Director of Sustainability and Science for Treasury Americas, a division of Treasury Wine Estates, shared that “the enhanced in-field visibility is key to being responsive in the season, and the ability to create a record of the climatic conditions—such as humidity levels, heat wave temperatures, or capturing a frost event—is instrumental to future planning efforts by our team.”
Patrick goes on to explain how advanced agriculture technology, including Arable’s crop intelligence system, can help vineyards optimize resource management, adapt to climate change, and plan for long-term sustainability. To solve these challenges, Ryan Decker, viticulture and grower relations manager at wine producer Clos du Val, turned to Arable. The comprehensive system synthesizes in-field weather, plant, soil, and irrigation data to provide Ryan with the visibility and insights he needs to best manage the millions of dollars of fruit in his care. According to Ryan, “Using Arable, I see more and know more about my vineyards. I’ve surfaced new insights that will fuel better future planning, and having key variables at my fingertips means I can make better decisions when I need to respond quickly to changing conditions.”
Click here to learn more about Ryan’s tech-driven approach to vineyard management.
“Using Arable, I see more and know more about my vineyards. I’ve surfaced new insights that will fuel better future planning, and having key variables at my fingertips means I can make better decisions when I need to respond quickly to changing conditions.”
RYAN DECKER, Viticulture and Grower Relations Manager, Clos Du Val
Digital Transformation Points to a Bright Future
Patrick ends the piece on a positive note, highlighting that vintners and vineyard operators who are curious about starting their digital journey have a bright future ahead of them. By thinking strategically, thoughtfully aligning the legacy of winemaking with the latest advancements, and embracing technology into the culture and business, leaders will be well-poised to reap the benefits of a robust crop of agtech offerings.
Click HERE to read the full article on Wine Industry Advisor.