Aerial photos for vineyard management and measurements have been used in top wine domains for many years, but battery operated electrical drones are the latest in space-age technology and are already in use by Bernard Magrez at Château Pape Clément, Château La Tour Carnet, Château Fombrauge and Clos Haut Peyraguey.

The use of drones limits soil compaction and rutting and improves the carbon emission balance due to its electric operation.

Drones are used year-round; during the dormant period from November to March, they assist with counting failing vines and decision-making for re-planting and renewal of plots, as well as with measurement of slopes and surfaces to assist with management of plot drainage and soil maintenance.

During the busy growing season from March to August, drones are used for multiple applications: identification of areas affected by disease and deficiencies, grass-cover management program, assessment of water stress, decision-making regarding plowing and green harvesting, chlorophyll activity or NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) which is correlated to the vigor of the vines and impacts fertilization, soil maintenance, green-harvesting, pruning, etc. The infrared imaging measures the ripeness of the grapes and helps with decisions on optimal harvesting and creation of more homogenous vats, as well as better adaptation of winemaking to the quality of the harvest.

The end result is even higher quality wines from the four classified châteaux of Bernard Magrez in Bordeaux.

Atanas Nechkov, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits wine supervisor

Follow me on Twitter @abcwineatanas

All photos courtesy of Bernard Magrez.