065: Mechanizing Your Vineyard from the Start with Dr. Matthew Fidelibus & Alan Thibault

Mechanizing a vineyard can lead to significant efficiency gains and cost savings, but it's important to start planning for mechanization early in the vineyard design process. Many new growers overlook this step, which can impact their adaptability for mechanization in the future. 

In this episode, we have a conversation with Dr. Matthew Fidelibus from UC Davis and Alan Thibault from Ashton Creek Vineyard and Vigneron Toy Store on the best mechanization practices from the start.

By considering mechanization from the beginning, vineyard owners can make sure their operations are set up for success and remain competitive in the ever-evolving wine industry.

In this episode, you will hear:

• How to start with mechanization from the beginning

• Why you should start planning for mechanization at site selection

• Challenges and benefits of mechanizing vineyard training systems and retrofitting existing vineyards

• Importance of vineyard uniformity for successful mechanization

• Economic considerations and strategic equipment investments for vineyard operations

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Resources:

View the soil trafficability website mentioned in the episode - https://soilmap2-1.lawr.ucdavis.edu/soil-trafficability/ 

If you’re starting a vineyard or thinking about starting a vineyard, visit VirtualViticulureAcademy.com/growsmart to get Fritz’s online Prospective Winegrape Grower Course to help you get your vineyard planned and planted correctly from the start. Use the code PODCAST at check out to save $89.00 as a thank you for being a podcast listener.

If you have questions about today’s episode or ideas for future episodes, go to VineyardUndergroundPodcast.com and click the Ask Fritz button. 

Today’s Guest:

Dr. Matthew Fidelibus is an extension specialist in the Department of Viticulture and Enology, UC Davis. Connect with Matthew and view his research - https://wineserver.ucdavis.edu/people/matthew-fidelibus#/ or follow him at https://bsky.app/profile/viticulture.bsky.social

Alan Thibault is the Winemaker & Vineyard Manager at Ashton Creek Vineyard and the co-owner of Vigneron Toy Store. Connect with Alan at https://www.ashtoncreekvineyard.com/ or https://www.vignerontoystore.com/ and follow him at @ https://www.instagram.com/ashtoncreekvineyard/ and @ https://www.instagram.com/vignerontoys/. 

Episode Sponsor:

Thank you to Vigneron Toy Store for sponsoring today’s episode. Vigneron Toy Store specializes in Harvesters, Sprayers, Frost Mitigation Equipment, Canopy Management Trimmers, and more. As grape growers themselves, they can expertly help you determine the best equipment for your specific vineyard needs. And, as a special offer for our podcast listeners, you can save 5% off in-stock machines by entering the promo code Underground on the contact form at vignerontoystore.com.

Thank you to SensorInsight for sponsoring today’s episode. SensorInsight is a leader in vineyard soil moisture and weather monitoring.  SensorInsight designs state-of-the-art, remote satellite monitoring of soil moisture and weather, bringing actionable inf