Mechanical Grape Harvesting

Vineyard Ops. Inc. specializes in mechanical grape harvesting, which is the most efficient method of removing grapes from the vines during the harvest. A mechanical harvester will gently vibrate the vines and allow the grapes to drop into a conveyer belt. The grapes are then transported to a bin and either crushed and pressed immediately in the vineyard, or trucked to the winery for fermentation. This method of harvesting grapes is typically done at night to take advantage of the cool temperatures.

Benefits Over Hand Picking

TIMING - The main benefit of mechanical harvesting is that once the grapes are ripe and have the ideal sugar acid balance, those grapes should be picked and delivered to the winery as soon as possible, mechanical harvesting is the quickest and most effective method of harvesting.

SPEED - Mechanical harvesting has the advantage of speed. Four hand harvesters can pick about one acre of grapes a day; a mechanical harverster, which uses a crew of five to harvest around the clock, can harvest 10 to 20 acres a day.

COST - Mechanical harvesting is also cheaper, especially as yields increase: most estimates say that hand harvesting costs $125 to $150 a ton, while machine harvesting costs $65 to $85 a ton.

TERRAIN -  Steep slopes have always been a challenge, but Vineyard Ops. can harvest on all terrains. We have been able to harvest on slopes of up to 35% and side slopes of up to 30%.

Equipment

We have four Braud SB Series Grape Harvesters and one Braud VX Series Grape Harvester. The Braud Harvesters utilize the most advanced harvesting technology available today. For technical data and dimensions, please visit Euro Machines web site at www.euromachinesusa.com.

More Information

Mechanization of Vineyards
The technology is there, but adoption is slow for U.S. growers.
By Mark Greenspan
From Wine Business Monthly, 11/15/2007

Vineyard Design for Mechanical Harvesting
Many vineyards can already be harvested by machine, but here are a few considerations to be aware of--even if you plan on hand-picking in the near-term.
By Mark Greenspan
From Wine Business Monthly, 11/15/2008

Moving Toward Mechanical
By Alan Goldfarb
From Wines & Vine, March 2008

Vineyard Mechanization: Does it Obscure Terroir?
By Bibiana Guerra
From Wine Business Monthly, 11/15/2008

Product Review: The New Wave of Mechanical Harvesters
Growers seeking higher quality harvests have learned that today's mechanically harvested fruit is cleaner than hand-picked.
By Bill Pregler
From Wine Business Monthly, 11/15/2006

Industry Roundtable
Winemaking with Mechanically Harvested Grapes
By Lance Cutler
From Wine Business Monthly, 11/15/2008

Vineyard Automation
Did you know that when you automate your vineyards, quality goes up? You get better fruit with less hassle.
By Cyril Penn
From Wine Business Monthly, 11/15/2006

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