WINETECH.......

Jordan Vineyard & Winery

From trellis to table with iPad.

Classic winemaking, new technology.

Making fine wine requires a delicate blend of tradition and innovation. At Jordan Vineyard & Winery in California’s Sonoma Valley, tradition means decades of expertise in growing, harvesting, and fermenting grapes to make world-class Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. And innovation means using iPad in every sphere of the winery’s operations, from managing soil to managing sales.

“Old-world artistry and attention to detail are not incompatible with the adoption of new technology,” says John Jordan, Owner/CEO of Jordan Vineyard & Winery. “iPad and apps enable us to do a better job at our winemaking as well as making workflows more efficient throughout the winery.”

iPad in the Vineyards

All great wines begin with the most elemental ingredients: soil, water, sun, and vines. Tasks like pruning, weeding, pest control, soil amendment, and monitoring climactic conditions require constant attention. Using iPad with Wi-Fi + 3G and a web-based app called AgCode, Jordan staff can now manage and log these duties wherever and whenever they occur.

“The viticulture philosophy we have here at Jordan is ‘precision agriculture,’” says Viticulturist Brent Young. “Mother Nature plays such a big role in the growing season, and we have to react fast. Because we have iPads right there in our hands in the vineyard, we can make decisions on the fly.”

Jordan’s customized AgCode app enables Young and his colleagues to flag specific problems, issue work orders to resolve them, log and review field data, and manage workers and equipment — all without having to return to the office.

In the past work that was needed after an inspection of the vineyard was documented on a clipboard. Then input in a computer back at the office. “With iPad, we can make adjustments and amend work orders right there in the field,” Young explains. “We have more information, and we can complete tasks faster. Our vineyard manager, Dana Grande, completed a week's worth of timecards in 20 minutes — where before, it’s taken hours to complete that task. Now she has so much more time to spend on other parts of her job.”