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4 6 V I N E YA R D & W I N E RY M A N A G E M E N T | S e p t - O c t 2 014 w w w. v w m m e d i a . c o m TerrAvion was launched with the idea of targeting California vineyard owners interested in imaging at a resolution that is sufficient to see each vine in a vineyard and thus, can help guide decisions about irrigation and pruning. Through TerrAvion's subscription service, cli- ents receive sets of color, infrared, NDVI and thermal imagery for $30 per acre per year. The cost is less per acre for more than 300 acres. "Nobody cares about the plat- form – satellite, drone or plane – but they do care about high-quality images, and when they get them," Morris said. TerrAvion delivers the images once per week. "We're the only company in the world, as far as I know, that is automatically pro- cessing aerial imagery overnight." The critical decision of when to harvest is one that Morris believes can be further illuminated by aerial imaging. "We had a client where the winemaker and viticulturist weren't PLEASANTVIL GENEVA, MON 7787 Bell Road Windsor, CA 95492 Phone:( 707) 838-2812 Fax: (707) 838-3164 westcoast@prosperocorp.biz West Coast 123 Castleton Street Pleasantville, NY 10570 Phone: (914) 769-6252 Fax: (914) 769-6786 info@prosperocorp.biz 2204 State Route 14 N Geneva, NY 14456-9510 Phone: (315) 719-0480 Fax: (315) 719-0481 geneva@prosperocorp.biz North Corporate Office 1722 SW HWY 18 Suite B McMinnville, OR 97128 Phone: (503) 472-6767 Fax: (503) 472-6768 northwest@prosperocorp.biz Northwest 8100 Trans Canada Hwy Unit I Montreal, Quebec, H4S 1M5 Phone: (514) 336-7117 Fax: (514) 418-2605 canada@prosperocorp.biz Canada Prospero Equipment offers many solutions and customization for all wine, beer, and beverage needs. WINDSOR, CA CRUSHER-DESTEMMERS | CRUSH-PAD | SORTING SYSTEMS | CELLAR EQUIPMENT | PUMPS PRESSES | TANKS | FILTERS | BOTTLING MONOBLOCKS | CORK ELEVATORS SEMI-AUTO & AUTOMATIC LABELERS | CHAMPAGNE SOLUTIONS | MOBILE BOTTLING LINES Prospero Equipment proudly presents WKHQHZ*$,HOHFWURSQXHPDWLFÀOOLQJ system. This is a state of the art machi- QHWKDWFDQÀOOERWKFDUERQDWHGDQG non carbonated products. Main fea- tures include: greater control over the SURGXFWZLWKDPRUHSUHFLVHÀOODXWR- matic adjustments for pressure and WHPSHUDWXUHÁXFWXDWLRQVLQUHDOWLPH and an automatic washing system if DERWWOHVEUHDNVGXULQJÀOOLQJ0DQ\ more features as well please call for additional information. in agreement," he said. "They were three weeks apart on when they thought harvest should be. The winemaker was like, 'Pick now!' But the viticulturist wanted to wait." Using TerrAvion's aerial imaging, the two were able to review the data together and quickly get on the same page. "That's the value of up-to-date comprehensive imaging," Morris said. It doesn't replace the viticul- turist's eye, but it gives them an actual picture that helps them to share their rich mental picture with other people." TerrAvion clients, which include F r a n c i s F o r d C o p p o l a W i n e r y and Wente Vineyards, use aerial imaging to optimize irrigation for improved yield and uniformity, reduce water usage, and to direct or redirect scouting with greater efficiency. Morris' company employs two aerial imaging systems in Califor- nia, and has permission from the FAA to put the systems on piloted planes. Its cameras, which are flown at 100 mph, take photos that pick up one square mile at a time. In general, the company flies three or four days a week to service its nearly 100 clients. For Morris, the time aerial imag- ery saves viticulturists is the tool's greatest asset: "They can spend less time in the vineyards and more time with their families." Je n n i f e r Strailey has written about food, wine and housewares for retail-focused business-to-busi- ness publications for more than 15 years. She is the Spotlight editor for Vineyard & Winery Management, a past editor with The Gourmet Retailer magazine, and a contribut- ing editor with Progressive Grocer. Comments? Please e-mail us at feedback@vwmmedia.com.