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Precision farming in the vineyard: Tenute del Cerro’s experience

  • 29/03/2021

Precision farming, digital agriculture and sustainability protocols can revolutionize production and drive the productivity of companies, reducing waste and protecting the environment. Tenute del Cerro are at the forefront adopting technologies and strategies that go in this direction. The cutting-edge techniques used at La Poderina for Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino are an example of this. As well as increasing sustainability process for the production of Nobile di Montepulciano which is involving Fattoria del Cerro: the largest private producer of this highly prized wine.


Agriculture 4.0 for the vineyards of La Poderina

La Poderina is located in Montalcino, in the Castelnuovo dell’Abate area: an area between the sea, volcanic areas and rivers. Here, the soil changes from meter to meter changing the characteristics of the vineyards. To better manage the heterogeneity of this area, generating value for the resulting products in terms of quality and excellence, a project called "Campi Connessi" is being carried out on this estate, dedicated to the digitization of technical systems.

The most important challenge that production activities are called to win, is the Digitization. Agricultural businesses are trying to exploit the potential that can arise when management systems and digital data are in communication. Today, for example, it is no longer sufficient to monitor the classical, generic meteorological data that are provided by the various platforms. Instead, it is necessary to have intelligent weather stations that are able to give more precise data, referring to the atmospheric conditions of each micro-zone within the same municipality. This allows to intervene in a specific way on each single area, acting in a targeted way on specific soil of the territory or even of crops and making the interventions more efficient with ad hoc processes.

Control units and sensors systems are very important. Sensors system are satellite detectors that allow you to check in real time - and therefore, if necessary, to make instant corrections - the distribution of the grapes within the vineyard or to help the operator not to make mistakes when preparing the blends. necessary for processing. In this regard, there is a software that reports in real time any errors that are made during the preparation of products useful for wine processing. Pathogens are instantly detected and surgically.fighted.

Guests of La Poderina will have the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of the vineyards and the technologies used to grow them through an engaging vineyards tour with off-road vehicle or to appreciate the quality of the wine directly in the cellar, during a tasting paired with local appetizers.


Vino Nobile Consortium: increasing sustainability

Tenute del Cerro together with “Consorzio del Vino Nobile” are participating in a process of increasing sustainability that affects the entire territory of Montepulciano and they are providing for the drafting of a protocol to which all production companies are required to abide. In summary: some products will be eliminated, some agronomic caring soil and  better management of the vineyards will be integrated. The aim is to prevent pathogens from impacting crops.

This process allows for a healthier product to offer to the consumer. However, sustainability also means ethical conduct which provides for respect of the worker, absence of discrimination, training and welfare tools. The parameters also concern the reduction of the use of water, packaging materials and waste. Over 70% of the Consortium companies have subscribed this policy.

Tenute del Cerro has also joined the Promoting Committee of the Val di Chiana Food Community, which aims to support local products such as oil, wine and other food and wine excellences.