Major Research Programs

within the Institute of Food Science and Engineering

Vineyard Mechanization

    A major objective of the viticulture and enology research directed by Dr. Justin Morris has been to develop mechanized vineyard systems that provide quality and yields as good, or better, than those obtained with hand labor.

     Research has shown that if the fruit clusters are exposed to sunlight, there is an increase in the monoterpene compounds, which improves the aroma and flavor of the wine.  In addition, the fruit contains more phenols and has higher sugar levels and better color.  This exposure can be accomplished by positioning the growing shoots and by removal of excessive leaves in the fruiting zone.

     The cost of performing these quality-improving operations by hand is prohibitive.  However, IFSE scientists, under the direction of Dr. Morris, in a joint effort with Oldridge Vineyards have developed new mechanized systems to successfully accomplish these operations.  Machines have been developed to perform mechanical thinning of shoots and fruit, mechanical pruning in both summer and winter, and mechanical harvesting of new trellising systems.

To learn more about the MORRIS-OLDRIDGE PLAN