Client Profile

Pernod Ricard New Zealand is one of the country’s leading wine, spirits and champagne companies. They manage a portfolio of internationally recognised brands, as well as iconic New Zealand wines, Church Road, Stoneleigh and Brancott Estate through Pernod Ricard Winemakers.

Pernod Ricard are committed to being a leader in sustainability in the Wine and Spirits industry, with a strong focus on health, safety and continuous improvement. Collaborating on this project exemplifies their commitment to innovation and sustainability.

Project Overview

This project took on an issue challenging vineyards the world over. Viticultural application (of one form or another, including organic applications) is conducted on almost every vineyard in the world. Currently this is a highly labour-intensive process, involving the vineyard manager calculating appropriate application rates for a specific scenario/site, donning full PPE gear, manually handling chemicals, diluting and mixing them manually, pumping them into a tractor with spray unit, removing PPE gear and driving off to begin spraying. The process involves two significant health and safety risk factors – chemical handling, and heavy lifting.

Stephen Leitch explains “The previous standard practice for spraying in the vineyard required operators to dress in PPE, put gloves on, mix up the chemical solution, put it into the spray unit and then take all the PPE gear off and hang it up before they’re able to complete the cycle of spraying. Then they’d have to come back and do it all again for the next cycle.”

Solution

Smarter, faster, safer. Those are just some of the outcomes being driven by this innovative project which came to fruition in Marlborough this year. SWE’s “SmartSpray” solution is a exemplary collaboration with Pernod Ricard to tackle some of the big challenges the viticulture industry faces. The collaboration has resulted in the creation of a fully-automated ‘smart’ spray shed which is revolutionising vineyard operations and enhancing health and safety efforts.

SmartSpray has been installed in the Brancott Vineyard here in Marlborough and is nearing a calendar year of successful running. The innovative technology automates the vineyard spray mixing process by using an automated pumping and injection system with advanced programming that ensures tractor spraying units receive the exact right quantity, composition and dilution of solution, tailored to each specific job. This reduces safety risks by minimising manual and chemical handling.

Results

“The SmartSpray Solution represents a significant advancement in viticultural technology. It not only benefits vineyard operators but also contributes to environmental sustainability, while enhancing productivity, accuracy, and traceability within the viticulture industry, setting new standards for operational excellence.” said Lesley Boon, Viticulture Manager – South Island Operations at Pernod Ricard Winemakers.

Stephen explains the new process allows vineyard operators to complete spray mixing in around 25% of the time previously required. With the new process, vineyard operators no longer need to wear extensive PPE gear due to the enclosed and automated system, leading to a faster refill experience and enhancing worker health and safety.

“Operators can now simply connect a hose and push a couple of buttons to start the automated filling process, then they are good to go! So, we’re seeing the eradication of thousands of manual lifting events every year, reduced chemical handling, and up to 75% time saving per fill. That’s pretty incredible when you multiply that across big vineyards and across the year.”

“We have been thrilled to collaborate with Pernod Ricard Winemakers to create what we understand to be the first automated spray shed solution globally. This is a cutting-edge application of technology and the whole project team have been very proud of what we have been able to accomplish to make viticultural processes smarter, faster, and safer.”

The SmartSpray solution was nominated for The NZ Hi Tech Awards 2024, and recognised as one of only five finalists from around New Zealand in the “Most Innovative Hi-Tech Agritech Solution” category. In a year when the organisers “witnessed an unprecedented number of entries” this is a particularly notable achievement.

The nomination highlights the transformative potential of the SmartSpray solution and acknowledges the dedication and expertise of the teams at SWE and Pernod Ricard Winemakers. As industry leaders, we continue to drive innovation and excellence, shaping the future of viticulture.

What the Client Said

“This project stemmed from our desire to upgrade our existing Brancott Vineyard spray shed to bring it into the future to be safer, smarter and more adaptable. It’s been incredibly rewarding to witness SWE bring it to life”

Lesley Boon, Viticulture Manager – South Island Operations at Pernod Ricard Winemakers.

To find out more about this unique cutting-edge solution, visit www.marlboroughagritec.co.nz

Pernod Ricard New Zealand’s Brancott Vineyard – home to an innovative collaborative project with SWE

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We are so unbelievably proud to announce our recognition as a finalist for a prestigious NZ Hi Tech Award for our groundbreaking, fully-automated spray shed, SmartSpray, which has revolutionised Pernod Ricard Winemakers’ vineyard operations and enhanced the health and safety of employees. The finalists were unveiled at an event hosted simultaneously in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch this week.

We’re thrilled to have been recognised as one of only five finalists from around New Zealand in the “Most Innovative Hi-Tech Agritech Solution” category. In a year when the organisers “witnessed an unprecedented number of entries” this is a particularly notable achievement.

We collaborated with Pernod Ricard Winemakers to develop this SmartSpray solution, which has been installed at their Brancott Vineyard here in Marlborough. The innovative technology automates the vineyard spray mixing process by using an automated pumping and injection system with advanced programming that ensures tractor spraying units receive the exact right quantity, composition and dilution of solution, tailored to each specific job. This reduces safety risks by minimising manual and chemical handling.

“This project stemmed from our desire to upgrade our existing Brancott Vineyard spray shed to bring it into the future to be safer, smarter and more adaptable. It’s been incredibly rewarding to witness SWE bring it to life,” said Lesley Boon, Viticulture Manager – South Island Operations at Pernod Ricard Winemakers.

“The SmartSpray Solution represents a significant advancement in viticultural technology. It not only benefits vineyard operators but also contributes to environmental sustainability, while enhancing productivity, accuracy, and traceability within the viticulture industry, setting new standards for operational excellence. The collaboration with SWE exemplifies our commitment to innovation and sustainability, and we are honoured to have the project named as a finalist for the NZ Hi Tech Award.”

Stephen Leitch, explains the new process allows vineyard operators to complete spray mixing in just 25% of the time previously required.

“The previous standard practice for spraying in the vineyard required operators to dress in PPE, put gloves on, mix up the chemical solution, put it into the spray unit and then take all the PPE gear off and hang it up before they’re able to complete the cycle of spraying. Then they’d have to come back and do it all again for the next cycle.”

With the new process, vineyard operators no longer need to wear extensive PPE gear due to the enclosed and automated system, leading to a safer and faster refill experience.

“Operators can now simply connect a hose and push a couple of buttons to start the automated filling process, then they are good to go!” Leitch said. “So, we’re seeing the eradication of thousands of manual lifting events every year, reduced chemical handling, and up to 75% time saving per fill. That’s pretty incredible when you multiply that across big vineyards and across the year.”

“We have been thrilled to collaborate with Pernod Ricard Winemakers to create what we understand to be the first automated spray shed solution globally. This is a cutting-edge application of technology and the whole project team have been very proud of what we have been able to accomplish to make viticultural processes smarter, faster, and safer.”

The NZ Hi Tech Award nomination highlights the transformative potential of the SmartSpray solution and acknowledges the dedication and expertise of the teams at SWE and Pernod Ricard Winemakers. As industry leaders, we continue to drive innovation and excellence, shaping the future of viticulture.

For any enquiries about SmartSpray, please feel free to reach out to our Managing Director, Ross Sinclair:

ross.sinclair@swe.co.nz  | 03 579 3420

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The Cawthron Marlborough Environment Awards are a chance to showcase Marlborough businesses and community projects that are doing good for the environment – and the field days at the winning properties are a highlight of the awards. The 2015 field days are coming up shortly, over the months of April and May.

Pernod Ricard were the winner of the Wine Industry Innovation Award in the recent awards, and we’re honoured to have been asked to present alongside Pernod Ricard at their Field Days presentation on May 13th.

Those coming along to the Field Day will learn about Pernod Ricard’s integrated environmental management and “lean management” processes  – as well as our complementary SmartAudit (irrigation auditing) service. A falcon flying demonstration and wine tasting will follow.

A full copy of the Field Days programme can be seen here:  CMEA_Awards_Field_Day_Programme.

All are welcome, bookings are required for most field days. Contact the Council on 520 7400 or email Nicky Eade nicky.eade@marlborough.govt.nz to find out more.

Stephen Leitch’s SmartAudit presentation at Pernod Ricard Field Day

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Project Overview

SWE installed a new irrigation system at Pernod Ricard’s Brancott vineyard site during redevelopment in 2011 – replacing irrigation which was nearly as old as the vineyard.

Riesling was planted when the block was first developed in 1973, and was initially watered by hand until an irrigation scheme was installed several years later. SWE staff member Dave Dyer was one of the team that dug the original irrigation trenches, and he returned to the site laying new irrigation in 2011.

Solution

New irrigation was laid to allow for changes in row orientation and between row spacing. Work included installation of a new sub-main to deliver water consistently to the new line.

These new blocks, covering over 16 hectares, were planted in Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Gris.

Results

This redevelopment future-proofed the Brancott Vineyard, utilising new technology to improve production and energy efficiencies.

What the Client Said

“This was the first time I used SWE and the installation went very smoothly. It was done within our specified time frame and the quality of the job was to a high standard.”

John Argyle, Vineyard Manager.

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