We live in a world that constantly demands more for less – more productivity in less time, more quality for less money, more production with fewer resources. Without the technological advancement of the last decade, feeding the world as we do today would be impossible. From deserts turned into vertical farming hubs and global supply chains that run with astonishing precision, technology should not be seen as a threat in the agriculture field, but as a foundation for its future survival. As climate change reshapes the life-cycles of plants and soil, technology is the turnkey for preserving terroir.
Recently, we enjoyed a conversation with Agri-Tech pioneer Eric Archambeau, founder of Astanor and the visionary behind Late Harvest Ventures, to explore how technology is reshaping the future of wine.
Road to Recovery
For decades, the pursuit of higher yields relied heavily on chemicals that stripped vineyards of their vitality. The result is soil that is, in Eric’s words, “dead” – depleted of the microbial life that underpins healthy vines and authentic terroir. Reviving this living ecosystem is no longer a matter of traditional practice alone; it demands biotechnology. From biological solutions that restore soil microbiomes to innovations that protect vines without harmful residues, biotech is emerging as the only viable path to bring the vineyard back to life and safeguard its future. But once soils live and breathe again, they face an even uglier beast : climate change.
One Challenge
Climate change is reshaping the very rhythm of the vineyard: warmer seasons accelerate ripening, while erratic weather and prolonged droughts strain vines and diminish yields. At the same time, evolving regulations and a rising call for sustainability demand new approaches in the cellar and the soil. Growers now contend not only with shifting climates but with emerging pests and diseases that threaten long-established practices. Beyond the various biotechnical aids that work to relieve some of this pressure, even the most revered estates are being forced to make more radical moves. Earlier this year, the Guinaudeau family of Château Lafleur stepped away from the Pomerol appellation. Their reasoning : the liberty to adapt quickly enough to climate constraints in order to preserve the quality of their wine in years to come.
Multiple Solutions
In response to these challenges, a growing number of start-ups and tech companies are developing tools to help vineyards adapt and thrive sustainably. From technologies that monitor soil, water, and vine health in real time, to AI-driven solutions predicting disease outbreaks or optimising harvest timing, innovation is reshaping how vines are grown. One company under Archambeau’s investment radar proposes a solution to a well-known personel problem ; how to recruit and train seasonal vineyard workers. Its product is AR pruning glasses, that show the wearer via colour-code where to cut the vine. By combining tradition with technology, these solutions are ensuring that vineyards can face climate change, and a changing world proactively, safeguarding both the land and the wines we cherish. Afterall, great science in the vineyard translates into pieces of art in the cellar, and this artistry matters.
As Eric reminds us, “winemakers are artists, and the vineyard is their canvas. Our job with tech is to optimise the canvas, so that they can go on painting to perfection”.