Course overview
This practical course aims to provide students with an overview of engineering concepts and applications used in viticulture and wine production. Topics covered within viticulture include irrigation system design, vineyard automation and emerging technologies. Engineering topics related to wine production include: winery design, mass and energy balances, fluid and heat transfer systems, solid separation processes, refrigeration and instrumentation. Practical sessions provide students with an opportunity to apply engineering principles to vineyard and winery operations. Application of experimental design methodologies and engineering process economics is also addressed.
Course learning outcomes
- Appraise aspects of vineyard and grapevine sensing, irrigation design and scheduling;
- Describe the application of vineyard automation and advanced technology including robotics and vineyard instrumentation;
- Explain and communicate via written scientific reports how fundamental principles of process engineering are applied to viticulture and wine production;
- Apply engineering methodology and safe work practices to winery cellar operations;
- Employ engineering design principles to assess economic and technical improvement opportunities associated with the operation of a vineyard or winery.