Managing vineyards over the net

A "world-first" broadband-based system for managing vineyards remotely has been launched by the Frontier Global joint venture, involving Corbans Viticulture and Frontier Mapping.

The Christchurch-based joint venture will expand the internet viticulture information system (VIS) business, first in NZ and then internationally. It is being trialled at four vineyards around the country.

VIS enables vineyards to manage functions - such as sprinklers - via a PC or hand-held devices and is seen as having other horticulture and aquaculture applications.

Corbans Viticulture CEO Dennis Lunken said: "The venture is aimed at bringing a holistic technological approach to vineyard planting, establishment and management."

Frontier Mapping technical director and VIS inventor Stuart Bell believed the system had considerable export potential.

"VIS covers everything that goes on, in and around a vineyard. We create customised databases for vineyard owners or managers by visiting their vineyard and building up an information base on all aspects of vine growing and management."

VIS would be available for an up-front installation cost and a monthly rental, the joint venture said.