Client Profile
Pernod Ricard New Zealand is one of the country’s leading wine, spirits and champagne companies. They manage a portfolio of internationally recognised brands, as well as iconic New Zealand wines, Church Road, Stoneleigh and Brancott Estate through Pernod Ricard Winemakers.
Pernod Ricard are committed to being a leader in sustainability in the Wine and Spirits industry, with a strong focus on health, safety and continuous improvement. Collaborating on this project exemplifies their commitment to innovation and sustainability.
Project Overview
This project took on an issue challenging vineyards the world over. Viticultural application (of one form or another, including organic applications) is conducted on almost every vineyard in the world. Currently this is a highly labour-intensive process, involving the vineyard manager calculating appropriate application rates for a specific scenario/site, donning full PPE gear, manually handling chemicals, diluting and mixing them manually, pumping them into a tractor with spray unit, removing PPE gear and driving off to begin spraying. The process involves two significant health and safety risk factors – chemical handling, and heavy lifting.
Stephen Leitch explains “The previous standard practice for spraying in the vineyard required operators to dress in PPE, put gloves on, mix up the chemical solution, put it into the spray unit and then take all the PPE gear off and hang it up before they’re able to complete the cycle of spraying. Then they’d have to come back and do it all again for the next cycle.”
Solution
Smarter, faster, safer. Those are just some of the outcomes being driven by this innovative project which came to fruition in Marlborough this year. SWE’s “SmartSpray” solution is a exemplary collaboration with Pernod Ricard to tackle some of the big challenges the viticulture industry faces. The collaboration has resulted in the creation of a fully-automated ‘smart’ spray shed which is revolutionising vineyard operations and enhancing health and safety efforts.
SmartSpray has been installed in the Brancott Vineyard here in Marlborough and is nearing a calendar year of successful running. The innovative technology automates the vineyard spray mixing process by using an automated pumping and injection system with advanced programming that ensures tractor spraying units receive the exact right quantity, composition and dilution of solution, tailored to each specific job. This reduces safety risks by minimising manual and chemical handling.
Results
“The SmartSpray Solution represents a significant advancement in viticultural technology. It not only benefits vineyard operators but also contributes to environmental sustainability, while enhancing productivity, accuracy, and traceability within the viticulture industry, setting new standards for operational excellence.” said Lesley Boon, Viticulture Manager – South Island Operations at Pernod Ricard Winemakers.
Stephen explains the new process allows vineyard operators to complete spray mixing in around 25% of the time previously required. With the new process, vineyard operators no longer need to wear extensive PPE gear due to the enclosed and automated system, leading to a faster refill experience and enhancing worker health and safety.
“Operators can now simply connect a hose and push a couple of buttons to start the automated filling process, then they are good to go! So, we’re seeing the eradication of thousands of manual lifting events every year, reduced chemical handling, and up to 75% time saving per fill. That’s pretty incredible when you multiply that across big vineyards and across the year.”
“We have been thrilled to collaborate with Pernod Ricard Winemakers to create what we understand to be the first automated spray shed solution globally. This is a cutting-edge application of technology and the whole project team have been very proud of what we have been able to accomplish to make viticultural processes smarter, faster, and safer.”
The SmartSpray solution was nominated for The NZ Hi Tech Awards 2024, and recognised as one of only five finalists from around New Zealand in the “Most Innovative Hi-Tech Agritech Solution” category. In a year when the organisers “witnessed an unprecedented number of entries” this is a particularly notable achievement.
The nomination highlights the transformative potential of the SmartSpray solution and acknowledges the dedication and expertise of the teams at SWE and Pernod Ricard Winemakers. As industry leaders, we continue to drive innovation and excellence, shaping the future of viticulture.
What the Client Said
“This project stemmed from our desire to upgrade our existing Brancott Vineyard spray shed to bring it into the future to be safer, smarter and more adaptable. It’s been incredibly rewarding to witness SWE bring it to life”
Lesley Boon, Viticulture Manager – South Island Operations at Pernod Ricard Winemakers.
To find out more about this unique cutting-edge solution, visit www.marlboroughagritec.co.nz
Pernod Ricard New Zealand’s Brancott Vineyard – home to an innovative collaborative project with SWE
