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CO VER s T OR y What's next for vineyard technology T he technology of vineyard mechanization is continually advanc- ing, so Wines & Vines asked French Camp Vineyard manager Hank Ashby what sort of changes he sees on the horizon. "In the future," Ashby says, "I think we will see more multi-row farming. I think sensors will be developed to 'read the wire' and keep implements on track." He cites the increased use of global positioning systems as an example. "GPS tells where the implements are in relationship to the location of the cordon or row," Ashby says. "There are already over-the-row tractors that can spray up to five rows of grapes. If the computer in the tractor says that one of the rows has already been sprayed, it will shut off the sprayer for that row. GPS can be used to create a soil map that tells the computer that this area needs to be pruned more or less severely because of soil differences." Bar codes and optics could also figure more prominently, he says. "Bar codes could be used to tell the computer specific information about that row; for instance, the rows have been lengthened and the last 30 vines are five years younger," he says. "Optics could be used to monitor how much shoot density there is behind the shoot-thin- According to Ashby, GPS, bar codes and optics will play a major role in the future of vineyard management. ning equipment or how much fruit before and after fruit-thinning. This information could be automatically sent to the computer, and the computer could adjust the equipment accordingly." —L.D. Certified Lab testing Above State requirements Top Notch Service... Classic wines…and superior vines…don't grow overnight. They must be nurtured slowly and meticulously. It starts from the very beginning with Vintage Nurseries. Our seasoned professionals not only create the perfect growing conditions, but eagerly dispense expert advice and tend to every detail. Whether in our nursery or your vineyard, we answer all of your questions and offer suggestions, so that you can feel confident with the selections you've made. At Vintage Nurseries those selections are, like our service, a cut above. The result? Vintage quality, year after year. 661-758-4777 Wasco Paso Robles 805-237-8914 209-523-8036 Modesto 8 0 0 - 4 9 9 - 9 0 1 9 www.VintageNurseries.com Serving the Wine, Table Grape and Raisin Industries Santa Rosa 707-542-5510 Wines & Vines MARCH 2011 29