Cutting edge agtech and IoT (Internet of Things) devices will be on show in Coonawarra next month.
The 2024 Australian Cabernet Sauvignon Symposium (ACS) has released the program for its event.
In line with the 2024 theme ‘Supporting Cabernet into the Future’, day two of the ACS will take place in the Penley Estate Vineyard, a Wine Australia Agtech Demonstration Vineyard filled with world-leading technology.
These devices are increasingly informing the management of vineyards, assisting grape growers and winemakers to improve the quality and quantity of their vines and yields, and better manage processes involved in growing and making wine.
Nine devices will be demonstrated live in action in the vineyard, with representatives for each explaining how they’re best deployed, their purpose, data collected, practicalities, insights and efficiencies they deliver, along with being available to answer specific questions.
They will include AirborneLogic (farm mapping), Sentek and Athena IR-Tech (vine water status), FrostBoss (frost/telemetry), Department for Environment and Water (DEW) (telemetry trial/aquifer management), Urban.io (water meter telemetry), Frolight BV (frost/telemetry), Ripen Tech (hanging fruit weights), GOtrack Auto Drive (vineyard automation) and La Trobe University (smoke sensor network).
Wine Australia supported Nuffield Scholarship recipient Hans Loder, whose topic of “here come the robots but what do we do with the data?” looked specifically at management and use of data generated by IoT devices, will speak about his adoption journey.
His use of agtech in support of his role as viticulturist and vineyard manager at Penley Estate will be presented as he guides the tour and shares his experiences.
Delegates will then head into the cellar door and view live feeds from devices on the big screen.
Following day one of the symposium, the Penley Agtech Field Walk is the perfect opportunity for delegates to stretch their legs, get amongst the vines and see how agtech is enhancing production at one of Australia’s premier Cabernet producers.
Day one will be hosted in both Coonawarra and Margaret River and will see global Cabernet experts including Bordeaux-based fine wines and terroir consultant, Rodrigo Laytte and Te Mata Estate senior winemaker, Phil Brodie, present on the latest global developments of the noble grape variety.
The Coonawarra field walk event will be held on day two of the event on February 2.
