South Africa Wine Research Projects 2025

2. VITICULTURE RESEARCH NEW PROJECT

2.5 TERROIR

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE TECHNICAL AND SCIENTIFIC BASES FOR AI APPLICATIONS IN WINE PRODUCTION: STUDY CASE ON VITICULTURE, YIELD AND PHENOLOGY AI MODELS SAGWRI CP 25-01 Prof Carlos Poblete-Echeverria, South African Grape and Wine Research Institute, Stellenbosch University Start date: 2025 AIM AND INDUSTRY RELEVANCE: Human field scouting has long been used to monitor various vineyard processes and practices. However, this approach is expensive, labour-intensive, subjective and often lacks precision. New methods to assess vine performance that move beyond traditional practices are needed. Artificial intelligence (AI) offers a groundbreaking and powerful technological tool to enhance and improve present monitoring methodologies and data management processes. Designing AI algorithms with fast and proficient learning tempo, quick convergence to solutions, effective abstraction skills and ease of implementation are essential to developing a successful and effective AI model. The project aims to lay the technical and scientific groundwork for implementing AI applications in the South African wine industry by building both human and technological capabilities necessary for these models. A case study on yield and phenology will be the focus point for establishing the core principles. In addition, these principles can be applied to other AI applications in both Viticulture and Oenology.

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SOUTH AFRICA WINE RESEARCH 2025