On 6 September, the panel of experts for the Vinitech-Sifel Innovation Trophies met in Bordeaux to choose the 2018 winners of this competition of excellence in innovative equipment, processes and techniques by exhibitors from all business sectors. After reviewing some sixty contestants, 16 prizes were awarded: 1 Special Jury Prize, 6 Silver Trophies, 9 Bronze Trophies and 14 Commendations.
Palmarès (Category: Cultivation Techniques and Vine and Wine)
THE SPECIAL JURY PRIZE FOR DiiMOTION
The Special Jury Prize awarded to DiiMOTION (cultivation techniques category) aims to foster the development of its PIIX innovation for the direct injection of plant protection products for sprayers. The manufacturer is setting itself apart with this system for the direct injection of plant protection products into the sprayer circuit. The main vat contains only water and the liquid or solid products are placed in the PIIX vats. This enables optimum use of protection agents and minimizes the quantity of resulting effluents and exposure to the user. This direct injection system offers promising developments in terms of precision spraying, as it allows for the dosage to be modified within the same plot.
SILVER TROPHIES
Category: Cultivation Techniques
- ERTUS was rewarded for Exapta, a (decision-making assistance) software package which helps the wine-grower plan vineyard tasks and, in particular, plant treatment. The software uses data on phenological stages, available equipment, the list of plant diseases and protection products, in addition to plot information.
- INFACO was rewarded for its additional wireless safety device for electric secateurs, DSES Wireless. This innovation, which is compatible with the latest two generations of secateurs, is based on the creation of a conducting loop between the trigger of the secateurs (a strategic choice for tool safety, as this is the control element) and the user’s body.
Category: Vine and Wine
- CITF offers a highly innovative robotic sorting system for harvesting, called the ALIEN procedure. This is an optical sorting system, in which waste is separated by robotic arms equipped with vacuum nozzles. It is the first application of robotics in the cellar for improved harvesting quality.
- INTRANOX has developed an environmentally-friendly automated cellar management system. The Oreste0 procedure is a recovery, storage and re-use system for the CO2 produced during fermentation. This automatic system reduces the environmental impact and exposure to CO2 risk in cellars.
- LAMOUROUX has developed E2, an innovative solution to improve the energy efficiency of wineries. This software suite controls energy and water consumption in cellars.
BRONZE TROPHIES
Category: Cultivation Techniques
- German company BRAUN MASCHINENBAU GmbH was rewarded for VPA: Vineyard Pilot Assistant. This system focuses on the steering of tools in the row, which differentiates it from GPS-based systems which focus on the steering (or auto-piloting) of the tractor.
- KARNOTT and its connected meter which simplifies the monitoring of agricultural operations. This product enables the user to monitor the tools on a farm, to locate them and know if they are or have been in use. It is a fully autonomous system which does not require any connection to the tractor.
- VITIBOT, with its 100% electric and fully autonomous wine robot, Bakus. This is a robotic straddle tractor which can carry out vineyard tasks, in order to facilitate the work of the wine-grower and reduce exposure to risk (plant protection products and overturning).
Category: Vine and Wine
- BUCHER VASLIN presents Delta Evolution 2, an optimum harvest destemming and sorting system for increased care of the most fragile varieties. Its innovation lies in the gradual movement of the harvest between the hopper and the destemming fingers.
- CHALVIGNAC presents a multi-functional ‘thermo-fridge-pump’ with 2 co-axial exchangers: Cryoflex 4 tubes. It enables simultaneous or independent cooling down and heating of various products, such as the harvest, musts and wine.
- D-INNOVATION unveiled Hekinox, a sampling valve designed specifically for the wine-growing sector. It can be adapted to existing vats and consists of 2 parts: a baseplate which remains on the vat and a sample collection kit.
- The Bacchimeter, developed by FORCE A, is a connected mobile sensor which measures the quantity of anthocyanins present in the grape skin directly on site.
- The hydro ceramic glaze barrels developed by VINEA SAS are the result of a new manufacturing process which consists in an impregnation of the barrel casing with vivified water in the form of steam, before core ceramic firing. This procedure, which is environmentally beneficial thanks to a reduction in water use and in the production of CO2, adds a new aromatic range to barrels.
- WINE & TOOLS was rewarded for its Wine Donut: an ‘inflatable ball’ system which can be inserted into vats during vinification or maturation to manage head room and thus prevent oxidation. This simple, ingenious system reduces the use of neutral gas, enables gentle extraction and prevents the oxidation of musts and wines.
Background information on the winners available soon at www.vinitech-sifel.com
