IEEE Robotics & Automation Magazine - December 2023 - 115

content, leading to high alcohol levels
and potentially flabby wines.
HAND VERSUS MECHANICAL
HARVESTING
Harvesting methods can be broadly
categorized into two primary techniques:
hand harvesting and mechanical
harvesting. Traditionally, grapes
were hand-harvested, a labor-intensive
process that remains common for premium
wines. Hand harvesting allows
for careful selection, ensuring that only
the best grapes make it to the winery.
However, for larger vineyards or less
expensive wines, machine harvesting
has become popular. Mechanical harvesters
can quickly strip grapes from
the vines but may be less selective;
that's why in some regions, such as
Champagne, France, mechanical harvesting
is forbidden to ensure higher
control and quality in wine production.
HAND HARVESTING
Hand harvesting, the traditional method
of picking grapes, remains the preferred
choice for many high-quality
wines. Proficient harvesters possess the
skill to discern and selectively pick
healthy fruit throughout the process,
ensuring that unripe or spoiled clusters
are left untouched. In some cases, they
can also hand-select individual berries
when needed, a crucial step for producing
specific noble rot sweet wines such
as Tokaji, Sauternes, and Trockenbeerenauslese.
Furthermore, individuals can
navigate and work on steep slopes
where mechanical harvesters are
unable to operate, though in certain
regions, like the Mosel Valley, additional
safety measures like harnesses
may be necessary.
This method offers several advantages,
including selective picking, where
experienced harvesters can meticulously
choose only the ripest grapes, leaving
unripe or damaged fruit on the vine.
The grapes are treated with exceptional
care, reducing the risk of bruising or any
other form of damage. Moreover, workers
can conduct grape sorting directly
within the vineyard, further ensuring
that only the highest quality grapes find
their way to the winery.
However,
hand harvesting comes
with some challenges. It is labor intensive
and expensive, making it less
practical for large-scale vineyards. Additionally,
assembling a dedicated and
skilled labor force can be a formidable
task. Some estimates indicate that hand
picking can cost two to three times as
much per metric ton as machine picking
due to expenses such as salaries, transportation
for workers, accommodations,
and food provisions.
MECHANICAL HARVESTING
Mechanical harvesting involves the use
of specialized machines that shake the
grapevines, causing the grapes to fall
into a collection bin. This
method is more efficient
and cost-effective
than hand harvesting
and is commonly used
in larger vineyards.
Mechanical harvesters
can efficiently cover
extensive vineyard areas,
ensuring
that
grapes
are picked at their peak
ripeness or even before
adverse weather conditions
arrive, thus mitigating
potential crop
losses.
It's estimated
that a machine can harvest
a hectare of vineyard in as little as
five hours, whereas manual labor could
require anywhere from one to 10 days
to accomplish the same task. Additionally,
mechanical harvesters have the
advantage of operating around the clock,
with the ability to harvest grapes during
the cooler nighttime hours, which
is particularly advantageous in hot
regions. This nighttime harvesting preserves
the fruity aromas, mitigates processes
that can lead to juice browning
and deterioration, and ultimately lowers
the winery's refrigeration expenses.
However, mechanical harvesting,
while offering numerous advantages,
also presents some potential downsides.
One limitation is that mechanical harvesters
do not have the ability to distinguish
between ripe and unripe grapes,
resulting in the collection of everything
on the vine. This lack of selectivity can
lead to grapes of varying ripeness levels
being harvested simultaneously.
Another concern is the potential for
damage to the grapes during mechanical
harvesting. The shaking action used
by these machines can be relatively
rough on the grapes, which may result
in damage and bruising, affecting the
overall grape quality.
Additionally, winemakers may find
"
HAND HARVESTING,
THE TRADITIONAL
METHOD OF PICKING
GRAPES, REMAINS
THE PREFERRED
CHOICE FOR MANY
HIGH-QUALITY
WINES.
„
themselves with less control over the
quality of grapes harvested when using
mechanical methods. This reduced control
can impact the final wine's characteristics
and flavor profile. Furthermore,
the suitability of vineyards for mechanical
harvesting varies. Many vineyards
may not be conducive
to this method due to
factors such as steep
terrain or the presence
of grape varieties and
training systems that
are not compatible with
mechanical harvesters.
Mechanical harvesters
are most effective
in vineyards with wellorganized
vine canopies
that are vertically
trained on trellis systems.
They are not wellsuited
for older bush
vines or the commonly
encountered pergola-style vine systems
found in regions like Italy's Veneto.
To address
these challenges and
mitigate some of these issues, wineries
often opt for mechanical harvesting
for grapes destined for less expensive
wines or those intended for bulk production.
This allows them to leverage
the advantages of mechanical harvesting
while carefully considering the specific
needs of their vineyards and wine
production goals.
A NEW CHALLENGE: AUTONOMOUS
ROBOTS FOR GRAPE HARVESTING
The wine industry is undergoing a
remarkable transformation with the
introduction of autonomous robots,
which are revolutionizing vineyard
management . These innovat ive
machines offer a combination of
increased efficiency, precision, and
DECEMBER 2023 IEEE ROBOTICS & AUTOMATION MAGAZINE
115
IEEE Robotics & Automation Magazine - December 2023

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