TWE’s $10m winery automation system will increase production capacity by 60%

Yesterday, Treasury Wine Estates officially launched a new automation system for its 35,000m² Barossa Valley winery. The new system, which currently runs 24 hours a day and five days a week, involves complete end-to-end automation of its winery processes and includes nine driverless forklifts, a custom barrel management software system, automated barrel washing and filling facilities, and individual barrel identification.

According to Chief Supply & Sustainability Officer Kerrin Petty, “Introducing full automation in our barrel hall increases our luxury and premium winemaking capacity, so we can craft more of our renowned wines for wine lovers around the world while creating a safer working environment for our people.”

First opened in 2022, the Barossa Valley facility is TWE’s largest, holding 60,000 barrels of Penfolds, Pepperjack, and Saltram. The introduction of the $10 million integrated automation and barrel handling system is expected to increase its production capacity by up to 60%, and its red wine volume handling capacity to 125,000 barrels. It will also assist in monitoring the conditions of barrels throughout their life cycle, reducing energy consumption, and minimising workplace hazards by reducing manual handling tasks.

In a statement issued to media, TWE indicated that it is not planning on reducing its existing on-site employees: “this automation optimises how team members are allocated in the barrel hall, and the site’s forklift operators have either been re-skilled to operate the digital barrel management system and manage the new automated vehicles, or moved on to other roles at the site,” read the statement.

Director of Supply Technology Jodie Rowlands added, “we’ve seen improvements in safety, efficiency, and traceability in our barrel hall, with the team on site embracing the new way of working. The efficiency and precision of automated, sensor-based forklifts to transport the barrels lowers energy consumption compared to manual handling processes.”

While the components of TWE’s integrated automation and barrel handling system have been used previously, their integration as an end-to-end system is a world-first in winemaking. A key component of the system are the laser-guided forklifts, controlled by a customised barrel management system developed by digital technology company Nukon.

The forklifts are powered by lithium batteries that use 100% renewable energy, contributing to TWE’s goal of net zero emissions by 2030. This objective will be supported by the site’s 6,000 solar panels which produce up to a quarter of its required electricity.

“Our Barossa Valley site is fast becoming an international hub of innovation in winemaking, sustainability and resilience,” said Petty.