At the eastern foot of Helan Mountain in northwest China, vineyards are buzzing with life as smart technology transforms winemaking! In early summer, wine grapes burst into full bloom while drip irrigation tubes, controlled via a smartphone app, are setting a new pace for traditional practices. 🍇
Liu Huibin from GreatWall Terroir explains that the integrated drip irrigation system uses sensors to collect key data such as soil temperature, humidity, weather conditions, and irrigation flow. This smart setup cuts water usage dramatically from 700-800 cubic meters per mu to just 220-260 cubic meters, conserving resources and boosting fertilizer efficiency for healthier vines and consistent grape quality.
The tech upgrade goes beyond water conservation—it also slashes labor needs. Where traditional flood irrigation required five workers for 300 mu, the modern system now manages over 7,000 mu with the same team, proving that smart tech can truly revolutionize a time-honored industry.
Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, renowned as a "golden zone" for grape cultivation thanks to its abundant sunshine, perfectly aerated soil, and significant day-night temperature differences, has witnessed a remarkable transformation. With more than 600,000 mu of vineyards, an annual output of 140 million bottles, and exports to over 40 countries and regions, the region is setting high standards in premium wine production.
Local landmark Huangkou Winery has embraced the digital wave by implementing a fermentation control system that monitors temperature, density, dissolved oxygen, and liquid levels in real time through mobile apps. By integrating IoT sensors, drones for rapid vineyard inspections, and blockchain for transparent traceability via QR codes, the winery ensures exceptional wine quality and efficient production processes. 🍷
The launch of the wine industry technology collaborative innovation center on the eastern foot of Helan Mountain marks a bold step into the future. As the first open and shared platform in the wine sector, it fosters R&D breakthroughs, secures technological patents, and works tirelessly to integrate smart management across vineyards and wineries, boosting the global competitiveness of Ningxia's premium wines.
By merging cutting-edge tech with time-honored winemaking traditions, northwest China's wine industry is not just producing quality wines—it’s championing sustainability and innovation for a smarter, greener future. Cheers to that! 🚀
Reference(s):
Smart tech drives dynamic growth in northwest China's wine industry
cgtn.com
