Demonstration vineyard site opens in McLaren Vale to test AgTech innovations

L-R: Erin Leggat, CEO McLaren Vale Grape Wine & Tourism Association, Robyn Dixon, research and innovation program manager, Wine Australia, Clare Scriven, Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, and Jodie Armstrong, grower engagement officer, McLaren Vale Grape Wine & Tourism Association. Photo: Meg Riley

By Meg Riley in McLaren Vale

Growers gathered in McLaren Vale on Friday for the launch of an agricultural technology (AgTech) demonstration site, which has been running a trial on irrigation and water management using AgTech.

The trial site is a partnership between the McLaren Vale Grape Wine & Tourism Association, Wine Australia, and the Department of Primary industries of South Australia, and AgTech providers involved in the irrigation trial included Integrated Viticultural Precision (IVP), SWAN Systems, Athena IR and Green Brain.

*Partners and sponsors of the demonstration site were also in attendance at the launch, which was followed by a workshop detailing results from the irrigation trial. Photo: Meg Riley*

Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Clare Scriven officially opened the site, acknowledging the growing need for innovation in agricultural technology.

“I think the AgTech solutions are something that we really need to focus more and more on as we go forward, because it’s about transforming the agricultural productivity,” said Minister Scriven.

“There are innovations around advanced irrigation technology: sensors, data-driven tools…it means that producers can now farm with better accuracy, with efficiency, and long-term sustainability.”

“Obviously the current drought is a really stark reminder of the importance of this. We were talking this morning about what a beautiful morning it is, and yet how much we wish it was pouring with rain.”

The benefit of demonstration sites, Minister Scriven acknowledged, is that they provide an opportunity to test the theories and technologies in a real-world scenario, helping growers to determine what could be applicable for their business.

“With the current economic pressures producers are facing, AgTech can help to support and improve profitability and productivity, and work to reduce inputs and costs,” said Minister Scriven.

*Robyn Dixon, research and innovation program manager at Wine Australia, addresses growers at the site launch. Photo: Meg Riley*

Robyn Dixon, research and innovation program manager at Wine Australia, explained that the demonstration site would “take some of the guesswork” out for McLaren Vale producers adopting new AgTech, giving them the opportunity to see the technologies demonstrated in their local environment.

“We know when it comes to trying new tech, growers trust growers,” said Dixon. “That’s why this site and others like it matter. They offer a neutral space to compare technology side by side, to see what works and hear from the people who’ve actually used them. The feedback you’ll hear today is honest, practical and rooted in experience—not a sales pitch. It’s about what worked, what didn’t, warts and all.”

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