Penley’s Post

Bragato: New viticulture research programme to boost productivity As costs continue to rise, vineyards must adapt and innovate to remain profitable. A new research programme called Next Generation Viticulture, led by Bragato Research Institute (BRI), will explore ways to grow vines more efficiently. “The programme's vision is to increase the profitability of the New Zealand wine industry by improving vineyard productivity, reducing variability in yields, while delivering exceptional quality New Zealand wines the world demands,” says New Zealand Winegrowers Chair Clive Jones. Clive made the announcement following the signing of a new partnership between the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), New Zealand Winegrowers, and seven wine business co-investors contributing cash and in-kind. Bragato Research Institute is contracted to manage and deliver the programme. BRI's new CEO Dr Juliet Ansell says, “Next Generation Viticulture is aligned with BRI's research strategy, which has a strong focus on improving vineyard profitability and sustainable winegrowing.” #BragatoResearch #NextGenViticulture #NZWine #ViticultureInnovation #SustainableWinegrowing #WineResearch #VineyardProductivity #NZWinegrowers #WineIndustry #Viticulture #WineScience #WineTechnology #WineBusiness #SustainableFarming #WineIndustryInnovation #iranzresearch https://lnkd.in/gNxNDnEk

Spent the morning in Priorat with Antoni Sánchez-Ortiz, PhD about viticulture in this rough, raw, and naturally pristine appellation in Catalunya whereby, depending upon the exposure and aspect both Garnacha (Garnatxa) and Cariñena (Carinyena), thrive producing extremely concentrated,  lifted, alcoholic and tannic wines. The video show how the local llicorella (foliated, crumbly metamorphic rock) can be fractured vertically which allows among other things, root penetration through the cracks as well as rainfall to penetrate deep into the soil. The llicorella soils, mostly concentrated in Priorat (but less so in the surrounding Monsant appellation), also retain heat and Toni has measured temperatures up to 70 ºC (158 F) in the surface of these rocks. This is the Mas Vell plot of Perinet Winery in Poboleda. Mas Vell is south facing and a tad more continental than Porrera, ideal for the isohydric (i.e., able to maintain constant water potential through timely stomatal closure), Garnacha (Carinyena needs more water and thrives in the relatively more maritime and mediterrean Porrera). Priorat, at large, is a true example on how soil (in certain instances), both defines and allows viticulture through the interplay between soil, environment, and variety. Antoni Sánchez-Ortiz, PhD

Texas & Chile, connecting wine gaps thanks to a future WineTech Private Fund The recent WineInnovaTech international seminar in Viña del Mar culminated with the announcement of Chile's first #WineTech Private Fund, aimed at addressing key challenges in the winemaking industry in the Valparaíso region. One of the main speakers from Austin, was Victor Rico who came to Chile to give a speech and explain how Venture Capital works and also, provide insights to the winery owners, investors and winemakers, how technology could leverage their presence in the world. Sergio Cuadra, winemaker of Fall Creek Vineyards from Texas also gave a speech in Chile and gave the facts about how Climate Change is affecting vineyards around the world and how his experience in #TexanWine could help the Valparaiso Region to adapt to the new conditions. The fund will focus on climate change adaptation, sustainability and integrating new technologies into viticulture and grape genetics. Notably, Chile boasts the largest area of non-grafted, European variety vine stocks globally. The team of #WineInnovaTech is working to structure the WineTech Private Fund, mission that is lead by Luis Felipe Oliva that lives in Mexico and also flew down to Chile to give a speach and gave a workshop with the winery owners, winemakers, potencial investors and public professionals from the Valparaiso Region. The key focus is to attract investors and clients for the wineries and grape producers while creating new business opportunities for winemakers and wineries in Valparaíso’s valleys, which include Rapa Nui-Easter Island, Aconcagua, Casablanca, Marga Marga, Quilpué-Villa Alemana, Lo Abarca-San Antonio-Leyda, and the towns of Algarrobo, Llay Llay and Putaendo.” One of the seminar's highlights was the discovery of a vine from 1650 near a Jesuit church in Putaendo, a city near San Felipe in the Aconcagua Valley, and another at Palacio Rioja, where the event was held. These findings have inspired winery owners to launch a #BioTech initiative for DNA profiling and to plant vineyards using the same genetic material to replicate the ancient 'Vino de Misa'. This initiative will also serve as a pilot wine tourism project in Viña del Mar. Italian winemaker Ettore del Lupo highlighted the significance of the region’s ancestral vines, including a 40-year-old vine at Palacio Rioja and the 1650 vine in Putaendo: “The Valparaíso region must rescue two historic vines, as they validate that this area is one of the oldest with a wine-growing tradition.” Read more at Harpers Wine & Spirit Magazine: https://lnkd.in/ebWRTtgs

Breaking news: Chile launches first WineTech Fund to boost Valparaíso region 'The recent WineInnovaTech 2024 international seminar in Viña del Mar culminated with the announcement of Chile's first WineTech Private Fund, aimed at addressing key challenges in the winemaking industry in the Valparaíso region. The fund will focus on climate change adaptation, sustainability and integrating new technologies into viticulture and grape genetics. Notably, Chile boasts the largest area of non-grafted, European variety vine stocks globally' writes James Bayley for Harpers Wine & Spirit. Max Morales, senior project manager and agricultural engineer at Wine Innova Tech 2024, emphasised the fund’s goal: “Our key focus is to attract investors and clients for the wineries and grape producers while creating new business opportunities for winemakers and wineries in Valparaíso’s valleys, which include Rapa Nui-Easter Island, Aconcagua, Casablanca, Marga Marga, Quilpué-Villa Alemana, Lo Abarca-San Antonio-Leyda, and the towns of Algarrobo, Llay Llay and Putaendo.” Read the full story: https://lnkd.in/efhj94-g #WineTechFund #Valparaiso #Chile

In this article touching upon the latest approach to viticulture being described as "regenerative" (an outgrowth of sustainable practices), Acquiesce Winery & Vineyards is highlighted as being among California's leading proponents. https://lnkd.in/g98wy8t6 #sustainability #sustainablewine #RegenerativeAgriculture #acquiescewine #lodiwinecountry #lodiwine

🍇 Throwback to our insightful chat with Andrew Sullivan, Vineyard Manager at Pearl Morrisette Winery. Discover how his journey from aspiring geologist to master of organic and biodynamic viticulture is shaping the future of wine in Niagara. If you missed our 2023 interview with Andrew Sullivan, Vineyard Manager at Pearl Morrisette Winery 👉 Catch up on his fascinating journey from aspiring geologist to viticulture virtuoso, and how he's influencing Niagara's wine scene with organic and biodynamic practices. #OrganicViticulture #CanadianGrowers

🌄Happening around the industry🚜 Understanding the average number of grape bunches per vine early in the season is essential for vineyard planning and investment decisions. A recent study explores how differences in sampling protocols can impact estimation accuracy and offers best practices for reliable bunch counting. Full article from Wine Industry Advisor: https://hubs.la/Q02Y74yw0

WINE WITH SPIRIT embodies a commitment to crafting premium products in harmony with nature, prioritizing sustainable practices and environmental stewardship. With a focus on minimizing synthetic materials and maximizing natural resources, WWS aims to elevate the quality of their wines while reducing their ecological footprint. Through a reverse-production model, they tailor their wines to consumer needs, prioritizing emotions and moments over technical specifications. By integrating Precision Viticulture techniques and an Integrated production model, WWS optimizes vineyard management for efficiency, quality, and sustainability, ultimately striving to enhance both consumer experiences and societal well-being. Pedro Sereno, WWS's Winemaker, employs remote sensing and agronomic data to fine-tune vineyard practices, achieving greater efficiency and understanding of vineyard variability. This commitment to precision and sustainability extends throughout the company's ethos, emphasizing social, economic, and environmental responsibility. By marrying tradition with innovation, WWS creates unique, emotionally resonant wines while ensuring a positive impact on both the environment and society at large. United Drinks Pedro Sereno

We are delighted to announce a new viticulture research programme to boost New Zealand vineyard productivity. Vineyard profitability is key to ensuring a thriving New Zealand wine industry. As costs continue to rise, we must adapt and innovate to remain profitable. A new research programme led by Bragato Research Institute has been designed to address these challenges. The programme, called Next Generation Viticulture, will research growing vines to be more efficient at turning sunlight into grapes, reducing growers’ input cost per unit of output. “The programme’s vision is to increase the profitability of the New Zealand wine industry by improving vineyard productivity, reducing variability in yields, while delivering exceptional quality New Zealand wines the world demands,” says New Zealand Winegrowers Chair Clive Jones. The announcement was made following the signing of a new partnership between the Ministry for Primary Industries, New Zealand Winegrowers, and seven wine business co-investors contributing cash and in-kind. BRI is contracted to manage and deliver the programme. Read more about the programme here: https://lnkd.in/gNxNDnEk #nzwine

Do you really want to understand your winery's sustainability challenges? 🌿 We recently visited Camel Valley Vineyards, capturing their dedication to sustainability in winemaking. Through this video, you'll get a behind-the-scenes look at their innovative practices that combine tradition with environmental responsibility. At PI Analytics, we offer easy-to-use online tools that help wineries like Camel Valley gain a clearer understanding of the sustainability challenges they face. Our platform helps optimize resources, reduce costs, and guide wineries toward holistic, regenerative solutions. As Almudena Alberca MW says, “Sustainability is a monster that we all know is coming, but we don’t know what kind of monster it is.” With PI Analytics, we help measure what matters — because you can't control what you don't measure. 📹 Watch the video to learn how Camel Valley and PI Analytics are shaping a more circular future for winemaking. #Sustainability #Winemaking #CircularEconomy #WineIndustry #CamelValleyWinery #PIAnalytics #RegenerativeBusiness #EnglishWine Thanks to Marta Juega, PhD our founder, Lilla O'Connor, our co-founder, Natasha Walker our go-to Plumpton College advocate and all the wineries who contributed, with special thanks to our devs at Deployflow and Prakash Pilley and of course Chris D. our story teller!