At the International ACE Congress of Oenology and Cava 2024 – CIAEC24, Alex Pujol Garcia, a researcher at Eurecat’s Applied Artificial Intelligence Unit, presented the VitiGEOSS project, an advanced digital platform designed to support sustainable vineyard management using data-driven technologies. The event was held the past November 15 in Sant Sadurni d’Anoia (Barcelona, Spain).
The conference, themed “Sensorization and AI: The Future of Oenology,” highlighted the growing importance of integrating extensive sensor networks and artificial intelligence into winemaking processes.
Pujol’s presentation at CIAEC24 focused on how VitiGEOSS leveraged tools based on artificial intelligence, remote sensing, in-field sensors, and satellite Earth observation to improve vineyard operations. The platform, available on demand, offers capabilities like long-term weather forecasting, monitoring crop phenology, and assessing plant physiology, including water requirements. These features allow winemakers to make informed decisions, optimize vineyard performance, and enhance sustainability.
One of the key aspects discussed was the platform’s ability to detect diseases early and generate alerts for targeted treatments, reducing the use of resources and minimizing environmental impact. During the presentation, Pujol also emphasized the decision-making tools incorporated into VitiGEOSS, which assist in planning tasks such as harvesting and fieldwork while prioritizing resource efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The VitiGEOSS platform was validated throughout 2022 and 2023 collaboratively with renowned wineries, including Familia Torres in Catalonia, Symington in Portugal, and Mastroberardino in Italy.
The conference was organized by the Catalan Enology Association (ACE), the College of Oenologists of Catalonia (CEEC) and the Vine and Wine Catalan Institute (INCAVI) and gathered experts providing significant perspective on the knowledge that oenologists need regarding how, when, where, and why to incorporate sensorization into their work.