Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/437909
winery & vineyard equipment 84 Wines&Vines January 2015 Mini-digger with pile driver, Duvigneau et Fils The mini-digger with pile driver is designed for trellis installation in the vineyard. The system is completely automated with GPS guidance to an accuracy of 1 centimeter. It enables an operator to work alone and greatly reduces the strenuousness of the task. Handling is reduced to a minimum; the operator only has to take the posts off the truck at the front of the digger and position them under the machine. The machine is also equipped with a decoiler for installing the trellis wires. This groundbreaking innovation represents a major development in precision farming, a cost-effective solution that also improves working conditions for dangerous tasks that put strain on the operator. A new grape harvester practically turns on a dime. The first automatic liquid-transfer controller senses the differences between must, wine, lees and water. A newly adapted wine press uses inert gas for red wine pressing. These and 16 other innovative products, processes and technologies were honored with awards from Vinitech- Sifel, the international viticulture and winemaking expo, in conjunction with its Dec. 2-4 event in Bordeaux, France. The judges said that the key trend to emerge from the 2014 Innovation Awards was precision farming, which is now a reality in viticulture. Judges for the Vinitech-Sifel Innovation Awards meted out one Special Jury Prize, three Gold Awards, two Silver Awards, three Bronze Awards and 10 Commendations. What follows is an account of the awards with descriptions provided by the judges. —Jim Gordon Vinitech-Sifel Presents Innovation Awards Judges for Bordeaux grape and wine expo select proMising technological advances SPECIAL JURY PRIZE