Artificial Intelligence Transforms Grape Selection at Italian Winery Ahead of 2025 Harvest

Artificial intelligence is making its way into Italian vineyards, playing a central role in the 2025 grape harvest at Tenute del Cerro. This wine group operates five estates across Umbria and Tuscany. For the first time, the company has used an advanced automatic optical selector powered by artificial intelligence to analyze grapes and separate the best from those to be discarded in real time.

The new technology was introduced at Fattoria del Cerro, located in Montepulciano, Siena. Emanuele Nardi, the estate’s winemaker, explained that the machine allows for grape selection with a level of precision that surpasses human ability. According to Nardi, the system can achieve up to 90 percent accuracy in identifying optimal grapes. He described the change as a “silent but powerful revolution,” with the goal of eventually processing all harvested grapes through this optical selector.

The core of this innovation lies in its self-learning capabilities. The artificial intelligence system recognizes grapes based on parameters set by technicians, creating a customized “recipe” for each grape variety. Nardi emphasized that while the machine performs the sorting, humans remain in control of the process. He said that artificial intelligence does not replace human intelligence but rather enhances it.

Antonio Donato, general manager of Tenute del Cerro, highlighted the strategic importance of adopting this technology. He stated that innovation is a key part of the company’s vision. The new winery was designed to incorporate state-of-the-art technologies, and introducing an AI-powered optical selector marks a decisive step toward the future.

The use of artificial intelligence in winemaking is part of a broader trend in agriculture and food production, where automation and data-driven tools are increasingly used to improve quality and efficiency. In this case, AI helps ensure that only the best grapes are selected for winemaking, potentially raising the standard of wines produced at Tenute del Cerro’s estates.

The 2025 harvest at Fattoria del Cerro is among the first in Italy to rely on such advanced technology for grape selection. The company expects that integrating AI into their processes will not only improve product quality but also set a new benchmark for innovation in Italian viticulture. As more wineries look for ways to combine tradition with technological advancement, Tenute del Cerro’s approach may serve as a model for others in the industry.