Epernay, France, April 30, 2024 – Yanmar Vineyard Solutions, the Yanmar subsidiary specializing in viticultural technologies, is proud to announce its partnership with the famous Moët & Chandon champagne house. This partnership aims to advance robotic and autonomous solutions in vineyards through the development of the YV01 autonomous viticultural robot, with the aim of innovating and improving the efficiency and safety of work in vineyards today.
This partnership between Yanmar Vineyard Solutions and Maison Moët & Chandon is an important milestone. It underlines a shared vision for a more productive and secure future in vineyard management, and offers sustainable protection of terroirs.
First steps in 2019
The collaboration began in 2019 when Yanmar first presented its autonomous machine concept to Moët & Chandon. At that time, the wine industry was just beginning to explore the potential of robotic assistance in the vineyard. Moët & Chandon seized the opportunity and provided a set of specifications for a machine capable of operating in difficult plots with steep slopes and steep gradients.
Successful first field tests
In 2021, the first prototype of the YV01 was presented. The machine was first tested on a CIVC plot, to ensure that it met specifications, before being made available to Moët & Chandon. Following these tests, Moët & Chandon began extensive trials with two YV01 machines on some of its most demanding plots in early 2022. This phase was crucial in assessing the performance of the machines under real-life conditions. It also marked the start of a training program to teach staff new ways of working in steep areas.
At the end of 2022, Moët & Chandon validated its interest in using the YV01 in some of its most difficult vineyard plots in Aÿ and Cramant, as the YV01 has proved to meet all the criteria in terms of ease of use, increased safety for operators and regained autonomy in managing the most difficult plots.
Same performance as tractor-mounted machines
Feedback from winemakers who have worked with the YV01 has been very positive. They report that “the Yanmar machine has nothing to be ashamed of”, as “it’s up to the level of what we know from tractor-mounted machines. What’s more, it offers “the same quality of phytosanitary protection”, while offering the advantages of enhanced safety and better adaptation to difficult terrain.
New weeding tool on the market
Motivated by the positive results, Yanmar Vineyard Solutions and Moët & Chandon developed the new weeding tool in 2023, which has been available for sale since January 2024.
About Yanmar Vineyard Solutions
Yanmar Vineyard Solutions, based in Epernay, France, specializes in the development and design of solutions to ensure the safety of people and the preservation of wine-growing territories and terroirs. Founded in 2021 by the Japanese group Yanmar, the company continues to develop and innovate in close collaboration with winegrowers, in order to best meet their needs.
About Yanmar
Founded in Japan in 1912, Yanmar is a leading international brand in the design and manufacture of advanced performance powertrains and end equipment. You’ll find Yanmar products in a wide range of applications in agriculture, construction, energy systems, as well as in the industrial and marine sectors. For more information, visit
https://www.yanmar.com/fr/about/
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