The 2024 Australian Cabernet Sauvignon Symposium will showcase cutting edge agtech and IoT (Internet of Things) devices in Coonawarra on day two of the Symposium on Friday 2 February.
In line with the 2024 theme 'Supporting Cabernet into the Future', day two of the Australian Cabernet Sauvignon Symposium 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 grapegrowers 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.
The devices featured are:
- 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)
- 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.
The agtech demonstration follows day one of the Australian Cabernet Sauvignon Symposium, which 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.
Wine Australia is a proud sponsor of the Australian Cabernet Sauvignon Symposium through its Regional Program. More information on the Symposium can be found at www.AustralianCabernetSymposium.com.