As part of the AI-GRAPE project, a study visit was held on 9 June 2026 in the vineyards of Vinakoper, focusing on innovative digital solutions that support decision-making in the prevention and management of grapevine diseases and pests.
The event was organised in two parts. The first part was dedicated to students from the Biotechnical School of Šempeter, who visited the experimental vineyard and learned about the technologies used by project partners to monitor vineyard conditions. Weather sensors, pest monitoring systems, drones, and data collection and analysis tools were presented as key elements in the development of Decision Support Systems (DSS).
Through practical demonstrations, the students gained insight into the role of digitalisation and artificial intelligence in modern viticulture and their contribution to climate change adaptation and the reduction of environmental impacts. Following the vineyard visit, participants also attended a guided tour of the Vinakoper winery, where they learned about the wine production process.
In the second part of the event, local winegrowers joined the study visit. Project partners presented the Decision Support Systems developed within AI-GRAPE, designed to improve vineyard monitoring and enable timely responses to the occurrence of diseases and pests. Special emphasis was placed on the use of data collected through various digital tools to support more informed decision-making in vineyard management.
The event provided an excellent opportunity for knowledge exchange among research organisations, technology providers, winegrowers and young people, demonstrating the potential of digital solutions to support a more sustainable, resilient and competitive viticulture sector in the Slovenia–Italy cross-border area.
The AI-GRAPE project (Supporting the Digitalisation of Viticulture for the Management of Harmful Organisms in the Italy–Slovenia Cross-Border Area) is co-financed by the Interreg VI-A Italy–Slovenia Programme 2021–2027.
