Vineyard innoVations

Vitipince from AMB Rousset

AMB Rousset won a silver medal for one of its new products: a multi-purpose tractor implement to pull and replant vines in one tractor pass. Vitipince could also be used for other tasks, such as planting trees in forests, the creator said.

The multi-functional tool is the brainchild of winemaker Fregeat Remi, who initially designed the tool for his 25-acre vineyard at Coteaux de Glanes in the Lot in the middle of France. He said he designed “Vitipince” as the multi-functional tool to simplify his job and save time.

AMB Rousset manufactures and distributes the mechanical tool, which as of November cost about $3,000. Vitipince reached the market in 2021. So far, Vitipince has not been exported to the United States.

Jo by Naio Technologies

Jo is a robotic, autonomous crawler to farm narrow vineyards planted on 25-degree-or-less slopes with tight turns. Jo is guided by GPS RTK, an all-electric system. The machine is 68 cm wide—or about 27 inches—and weighs about 1,900 pounds. The Jo project, which was awarded a bronze medal, began in 2016 in Champagne to help farmers cope with a labor shortage, according to Naio Technologies.

Ten machines were produced in 2022 and the company says it plans to produce about 15 machines in 2023. Jo has not been imported to the United States. Another Naio farm robot, Ted, was introduced last year in the United States.

VentiGel from Polypoles

VentiGel, a mobile, anti-frost system manufactured in Bordeaux, where vineyards have sustained brutal frost events since 2017, received a bronze medal. Its electric-powered, rotating ventilation system mixes cold air when temperatures drop and humidity levels increase.

The machine, which can be transported by tractors, mixes air to prevent humidity from settling on the vines dry. Dry vines can withstand frost-like conditions between 40 minutes and 1 hour before the machine’s fuel-powered system produces warm air, explained Vincent Jourzac, a VentiGel representative. The machine is not automated for right now.

Philippe Ferrier, a grapegrower from Medoc region, and Pierre Perrinet, an engineer and Setag president, designed the machine to protect vineyards efficiently.

Setag is the company that distributes VentiGel while Polypoles is the manufacturer, said Jourzac, the Ventigel representative. The machine is not distributed in the United States. One reason is that the electric system would have to be adapted for the U.S. market, he said.

About 100 VentiGel machines were sold in 2021, primarily in Bordeaux. Costs range from €28,000 to €30,000, or $30,000 to $32,000.

Automated Pesticide Mixing and Monitoring by Lamouroux

Lamouroux has developed an automated monitoring system to mix pesticides. The phybiomatic machine, which was introduced a few years ago, was recognized with a bronze medal. The machine has not been sold in the U.S., representatives said at Vinitech.

Packaging innoVations

Boxing Robotics System from Lehopar

Lehopar showed a robotics system that can both store bottles in boxes and grab bottles from boxes to place them onto the line. Lehopar was awarded a silver medal for its innovation. The new system is designed for small producers, a company representative said. The cost is about €95,000 to €100,000—or $100,000 to $106,000. It is not distributed in the U.S.

Leather Labels by Lithobru

Lithobru produces leather bottle labels out of salmon fish skins for the luxury market. For its eco-friendly innovation, Lithobru received a bronze medal. A master tanner in the Bordeaux region produces the leather, said Vanessa Chavanneau, commercial and marketing director at Lithobru. She said salmon was chosen because its fish skin is wide enough to produce labels for wine bottles. Lithobru then buys the leather from the master tanner and designs the labels using an in-house proprietary technique. The labels are decorated with natural pigments, Chavanneau added. The company can produce these luxury labels for up to 500 bottles.

Chavanneau, who came up with the idea after watching a television program on the art of turning fish skin into leather, located and contacted the master tanner. The project began in 2022, and the first labels were slated to be sold late 2022. The company ships worldwide.

The labels were first recognized at Monaco’s Luxepack salon in October. Lithobru is based in Cognac and Epernay.

“Easypeel” Capsules by Amcor

“Easypeel” capsules by Amcor were recognized with a citation at Vinitech. These one-piece aluminum capsules allow consumers to open bottles more easily with a bottle opener, along a clean line.

The “Easypeel” capsule was developed for the American market so that customers would not cut themselves and has been on the market since 2019, said Juliette Presse, communications manager for Amcor. These capsules are becoming increasingly popular in France, she said.

Amcor operates three factories in France, one in Canada, one in Chile and another in America Canyon in south Napa County. WBM

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JUNE 26–29, 2023

Napa Valley Marriott Napa, California USA

Includes: Climate Change Symposium: Part 2 Ð Enology June 27, 2023