Vineyard & Winery Management

September/October 2013

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Walsh Vineyards Management Embraces Technology Innovations Advanced equipment helps improve grape quality and profits BY TED RIEGER, SENIOR FEATURE EDITOR s California's vineyard labor force tightens and farming costs rise, growers are turning to technology and mechanization to improve efficiency and cut costs. One company that is wholeheartedly pursuing that path is Napa-based Walsh Vineyards Management (WVM). Through the use of advanced equipment, WVM is enhancing grape quality, reducing labor requirements and improving the company's bottom line. The company was established in 1980 by Mike Walsh, and sold in 1999 to managers Tim Rodgers and Brian Shepard, who serve as president and vice president of operations, respectively. WVM specializes in premium-quality grapegrowing for clients in Napa and Sonoma counties, including Beaulieu Vineyard, Domaine Chandon, Cuvaison Estate Wines and Silverado Vineyards. It provides services from planting to harvest under longterm agreements for 14 key clients on 2,500 acres of primarily wineryowned vineyards, and offers custom services for clients on another 1,000 acres. WVM general manager and viticulturist Towle Merritt discussed the company's focus on technology and vineyard mechanization and reviewed some key technologies AT A GLANCE + Walsh Vineyards Management uses new technologies to enhance grape quality, improve economics and reduce labor requirements. + Mechanical harvesters and optical berry sorters can deliver higher-quality grapes to wineries at lower cost than hand-harvesting and sorting. + Multi-function, multi-row tractors can be used year-round to efficiently manage vineyards with fewer employees. + Walsh is expanding mechanization in North Coast vineyards and is planting and replanting vineyards to accommodate mechanized operations. 58 V I N E YARD & WINERY MANAGEMENT | Sept - Oct 2013 WVM general manager and viticulturist Towle Merritt stands in a replant block with new Profil Alsace trellis stakes designed for mechanized operations. Photo: Ted Rieger and equipment. "We consider quality, labor and economics in guiding our focus when evaluating and implementing technology and innovation," he said. w w w. v w m m e d i a . c o m

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