Enartis, an Italian multinational company and part of the Esseco Group, which operates in the alcoholic beverage sector and wine products and services market, has completed the acquisition of Watgrid (brand name: Winegrid), a Portuguese company that has developed and patented cutting-edge technology for monitoring wine production using sensors.
The acquisition marks a significant milestone in the evolution of Enartis, according to Samuele Benelli, general manager of Enartis. The move is seen as an opportunity for Enartis to position itself as a leader in the digitisation and automation of modern wineries. “Allowing the company to consolidate its position globally in the wine industry, offering its customers an even more comprehensive and innovative integrated range of products and services,” he added.
Winegrid’s technology, which is based on the use of smart sensors applied at different stages of wine production, particularly during fermentation, can collect real-time data on the progress of fermentation and other important parameters. The data collected are processed by artificial intelligence (AI) software and advanced algorithms within a proprietary information system on a Software as a Service (SaaS) platform, providing valuable insights to winemakers about fermentation and ageing, helping them make decisions quickly and reduce production costs.
According to Piermario Ticozzelli, strategic business director of Enartis, Winegrid technology will enable producers to increase the efficiency of their wineries. Additionally, the AI software will enable predictive analysis of production, minimizing the need for product sampling and analysis during the winemaking process.
Enartis’ projection of the future of the industry through the concept of “Smart Enology” is aimed at increasing competitiveness and efficiency in a winery, providing winemakers with the tools they need to extract the full potential of their harvest.
Overall, the acquisition represents an important step towards accelerating the adoption of Winegrid’s technology globally, providing winemakers with the answers to their needs and enhancing the industry’s efficiency and capability to meet future challenges.
