Grape quality mapping for vineyard differential harvesting

Abstract

An experiment was carried out from 2005 to 2008, to calibrated NIR-based instrumentation and explore within field grape quality variability and map potential grape quality descriptors along vineyards, as a subsidy for differential harvesting,. The quality indicators (anthocyanin content, pH, titratable acidity and soluble solids) were subject to geo-spatial modeling. Subsequently, the data set was utilized to delineate "within-field" grape quality zone and to determine the timing of the harvest. Differential machine harvesting was implemented and segregation of wine grapes was done "on-the-go". The approach for field prediction of grape quality parameters and zone delineation allowed for separated fermentation for at least two wine styles.