AI gives vineyards nothing to wine about

At this point in AI’s takeover, it seems almost no industry is immune.

And wine is no exception. Don’t panic: Your pinot noir is safe — AI might actually make winemaking easier, per The Associated Press.

The tech is taking a hands-on role in various stages of the viticulture:

• Scout, an AI-powered farm-management platform, processes thousands of images in hours to count and measure the number of grape clusters, allowing winemakers to forecast their yield for the season earlier and more accurately.
• VineView analyzes aerial imagery of vineyards to provide insights into disease prevention, irrigation needs, and vine health.
• Autonomous AI-powered tractors, robotic arms, and ChatGPT are all helping out on the vineyard, too.

AI’s support could help vineyards become more sustainable, cut back on waste, automatically monitor water usage and leaks, and more precisely deploy fertilizers and pesticides.

And it gets to the root of one of the wine industry’s biggest obstacles: Replanting a vineyard after vines are hit by viruses or diseases can take at least five years, making early detection key.

Smart vines

Some large farming companies, like John Deere, have already adopted AI. The company’s Smart Apply tech on its tractors uses sensors and algorithms to identify the foliage on grape canopies and spray for better crop retention.

But for small winemakers, AI might not be a sure thing. Pricy tech that requires educating workers anew on processes is a riskier bet.

Ready or not, AI is getting into the wine game. And it’s not just coming for vineyards: An AI wine-tasting system took on professionals at the French Blind Tasting Championship last week.