Kara Maraden, the director of viticulture at Foley Family Farms in the US, manages over 5,200 acres of vineyards across California and Oregon. With the help of AI technology, she can remotely monitor the water needs of each vineyard from her laptop, ensuring efficient irrigation practices.
Using sensors from Tule Technologies placed across the vineyards, data on moisture levels, temperatures, and environmental variables are collected and fed into an AI software system. This system calculates the amount of moisture needed for the vines based on weather conditions and notifies vineyard managers via an app.
This innovative technology has not only improved grape quality and consistency but also helped overcome labor shortages. Moreover, other AI-powered vineyard monitoring equipment providers like Cisco, Ceres Imaging, and Bloomfield AI are also making strides in the industry.
In the winery, AI is being used to analyze chemical makeup and taste preferences to create popular wine blends. While some traditionalists may argue against the use of AI in winemaking, proponents believe that it enhances decision-making based on scientific data. Ultimately, AI in wine production is seen as a tool to assist winemakers in making informed decisions while maintaining the artistry of winemaking.
Vocabulary List:
- Viticulture (noun): The scienceproductionand study of grapes.
- Efficient (adjective): Being effective in producing desired results with minimal waste.
- Irrigation (noun): The artificial application of water to land or soil to assist in growing crops.
- Innovative (adjective): Introducing new ideas or methods original and creative in thinking.
- Consistency (noun): Uniformity or steady conformity in application.
- Proponents (noun): People who advocate a theoryproposalor project.
