Italian Sparkling Winemaker Uses New Irrigation Tech To Save Water - Forbes

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An Italian winery is partnering with a startup tech company to save water by using very precise irrigation.

Luxury sparkling winemaker Ferrari Trento is collaborating with startup Bluetentacles to use a new system of irrigation to save water. “Bluetentacles is an innovative system of precision irrigation that reduces water waste,” says Camilla Lunelli, head of communications and director of sustainabilty for Gruppo Lunelli, which includes Ferrari Trento. “This startup is founded in the Trentino-Alto Adige region of Italy, where our winery is located.”

How Bluetentacles works, Lunelli says, is that it is based on a cloud platform that uses a remote control to open and closes irrigation valves in the vineyard. “It adjusts irrigation schedules through automatic processes that take into consideration local weather forecasts and environmental data,” she says. “Using the field devices controlled via radio, we achieve an extremely precise and effective supply of water: no more and no less than the exact crop requirements.”

The system includes both hardware and software, but it also allows for the revamping of existing systems and integrates them with existing technology and Artificial Intelligence. “Irrigation now only takes place when it is really needed,” Lunelli says. “This allows not only water savings, but it also reduces the energy consumption necessary for pumping water, as well as reduces the amount of chemicals and fertilizers uses, thanks to a better vegetative state and better health of the plants.”

The partnership with Bluetentacles is an outgrowth of Ferrari Trento’s ongoing sustainability efforts, Lunelli says. “By now, it is clear that the recurring water crisis must be answered with efficiency and savings,” she says.

The new irrigation system is just part of the equation of saving water. It’s also important, Lunelli says, to use rootstocks that are drought-resistant. “Climate change and the push for sustainability, with increased attention to water footprints, are breaking down the cultural resistance from winegrowers to new rootstocks,” she says.

This has led to Portagraft M, an innovation in rootstock, Lunelli points out. T”he result of extensive research carried out by the University of Milan with the support of Winegraft, the Portgraft M rootstock is drought-resistant,” she says. “Grafting vines onto the Portgraft M rootstock creates water savings of up to 40% without compromising the health of the vine.”

Bluetentacles irrigation system is used in Ferrari Trento’s estate vineyards, but the winemaker is working with its 600 partner winegrowers to adopt more sustainable methods and technologies. “We have a formal protocol for our growers called ‘Il Vigneto Ferrari,’ which all of our direct suppliers are required to follow,” she says. It is aimed at creating and promoting a new culture of work in the vineyards and based on natural elements and sustainable methods.”

The protocol deals with all aspects of vineyard management from biodiversity and irrigation techniques to pruning and harvesting and more. “Our suppliers are offered hours of training organized by Ferrari, which involve experts, researchers, doctors and other professionals with wide-ranging skills that are useful for viticulture,” she says. “We continue to strive for a healthy environment.”

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