Goumenissa: Digital enhancement of the identity of PDO wines

An innovative digital system that allows viticulturists to monitor the evolution of their production from their mobile phones and enhances extroversion was developed and implemented by the Region of Central Macedonia and the Regional Unit of Kilkis, in collaboration with the producer group “Efori Gi” the winemakers operating in Kilkis and the American School of Agriculture.

With the help of this innovative digital tool concerning the wine-growing zone of PDO Goumenissa wines, viticulturists will be able to have real-time information about the conditions prevailing in the vineyard and the data entered in the system, such as humidity and soil temperature, air humidity and air temperature. Immediate benefits include better management of irrigation, disease and overall cultivation.

The presentation of this digital system took place in Goumenissa, in the presence of the Deputy Regional Minister of Agricultural Economy Georgios Kefalas, the Minister of Rural Development and Food Georgios Georgantas, representatives of the Local Government, research institutions, universities, wine growers, and viniculture specialists.

According to data presented by the agronomist of the Directorate of Agricultural Economy and Veterinary MEdicine of the Regional Unit of Kilkis Vassilis Ioannidis, 90% of the total cultivated area of ​​the Xinomavro variety in the area is located in the viticultural zone of Goumenissa. Also, 88% of the Negoska variety is cultivated nationwide in the viticultural zone of Goumenissa. Under the digital system, the data collected by the installed field sensors is “transferred” to the online platform developed by the American School of Agriculture and is available to all interested parties.

In his intervention, Dr. Elias Kalfas, from the Office of Strategic Plans of the American School of Agriculture, pointed out that there is a complete IoT system (Internet of Things) consisting of 1 Meteorological station, 2 LoRa antennas, 12 full field sensors, powerful software (cloud, GP Core IoT) and mobile applications. He also noted that “the entire production area is covered with a LoRa signal and is ready to receive interconnected devices”, while at least 2000 sensors can participate in the system with simple placement in points of interest, such as vineyards and wineries.