Mission
Wine4Cast's mission is to develop an advanced forecasting system for grapevine productivity by leveraging innovative technologies such as remote optical-photonic sensors (proximal and satellite), artificial intelligence, and climate scenario modelling. By spanning vineyard to regional scales, the project integrates spatio-temporal data to support precise decision-making by multiple stakeholders in the wine industry.
The project addresses key challenges, such as inter-annual yield variability driven by climate conditions, to mitigate risks and enhance resilience across the viticulture sector. Through six action lines, Wine4Cast focuses on:
Development and implementation of advanced instrumentation – including spectral tomography, drones, microdrones, and smartphones for in-field data acquisition.
Ultra-early productivity forecasting – using non-destructive bud fertility analysis to predict harvest outcomes up to 18 months in advance.
In-cycle productivity estimation – employing digital phenotyping of productivity components (clusters, berries, and yield) via advanced imaging and machine learning algorithms.
Regional yield prediction and long-term projections – integrating atmospheric pollen analyses with remote sensing and climate models to deliver annual and long-term productivity forecasts.
Technology certification, training, and platform development – ensuring practical adoption by SMEs through user-friendly interfaces and tailored training for digital agriculture.
Communication and dissemination – delivering results through targeted outreach to viticulture stakeholders, including demonstrations and public engagement.
Coordinated by the University of Porto (FCUP), Wine4Cast brings together a robust consortium of academic and industrial partners, fostering innovation to deliver precision viticulture tools. This initiative aligns with the EU Green Deal, promotes sustainable vineyard management, and strengthens the competitive positioning of Portuguese viticulture on a global scale.