Wine Industry Network Honors Pioneers in Wine Technology at 10th Annual WINnovation Awards

In the ever-evolving landscape of viticulture and enology, innovation remains the key to progress and sustainability. The Wine Industry Network (WIN) recently celebrated this spirit of innovation by announcing the winners of its 10th annual WINnovation Awards. These awards spotlight exceptional contributions made by companies striving to address the myriad challenges faced by vineyards and wineries, ranging from climatic shifts to market pressures.

Agrology: Pioneering Predictive Agriculture for Climate Adaptation

Agrology, one of the distinguished winners, has made significant strides with its predictive agriculture technology platform. This innovation is crucial for growers grappling with the impacts of climate change, particularly in regions prone to wildfires. Agrology's system not only detects wildfire smoke but also identifies volatile organic compounds (VOCs) responsible for smoke taint, a major concern for grape quality. By integrating various sensors and employing machine learning, the platform forecasts conditions up to four days ahead, enabling growers to proactively manage their crops and reduce exposure to detrimental factors like smoke and extreme heat.

Buckeye Corrugated Inc.: Revolutionizing Wine Shipping with VinoPack

Buckeye Corrugated Inc. (BCI) has been recognized for its VinoPack, a groundbreaking corrugated suspension pack for wine shipping. VinoPack stands out for its environmentally friendly design, being curbside recyclable, and its innovative suspension feature that ensures the safe transport of wine bottles. This design not only reduces the risk of damage during shipping but also cuts down inbound freight costs, marking a significant advancement in sustainable wine distribution.

GOfermentor: Streamlining Wine Blending with GOblend

The traditional practice of wine blending, often a laborious and imprecise process, has been transformed by GOfermentor's GOblend. This innovative machine allows winemakers to blend up to four different wines efficiently, using a tablet app to control the process. The app also serves as a digital notebook, enabling winemakers to record and refine their blends with greater precision. This technology represents a significant leap forward in enological practices, enhancing both the creativity and accuracy of wine blending.

Lamothe-Abiet: Advancing Wine Preservation with Excellence B-Nature

In a bid to reduce the reliance on sulfur dioxide (SO2) in wine preservation, Lamothe-Abiet introduced Excellence B-Nature. This bio-protector employs a pure Metschnikowia Pulcherrima yeast strain, which naturally inhibits the growth of spoilage microorganisms without affecting the wine's fermentation process. This development is a response to the growing demand for natural wine preservation methods, and it holds the promise of maintaining wine quality while minimizing chemical additives.

Simple Labs: Enhancing Barrel Aging Monitoring with COGNI

Simple Labs' COGNI device represents a leap in barrel aging technology. This innovative insert continuously monitors crucial parameters like temperature, humidity, and chemical composition, transmitting the data to a SaaS platform. This system enables winemakers to maintain optimal aging conditions and make precise interventions, potentially reducing the need for costly laboratory testing.

The North Coast Wine Industry Expo (WIN Expo) scheduled for December 1, 2022, at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds, will showcase these innovations alongside previous WINnovation Award winners and nearly 300 exhibitors. This event underscores the wine industry's commitment to embracing new technologies and methods to enhance wine production and sustainability.