Views: 0 Author: Pretank Marketing Team Publish Time: 2025-03-05 Origin: Site
Recently, the Shenzhen Municipal Government Service Center introduced 70 "digital intelligence employees" to handle tasks such as document processing, public services, and emergency management. This sparked heated discussions: As AI transitions from standardized administrative work to industries requiring creativity and sensory experience, where is the boundary of its replacement?
AI is gradually making its way into winemaking—an ancient craft that blends science and artistry. To understand the industry's perspective on AI-powered winemaking, we interviewed:
Xi Qiang, Head of Meihe Manor
Ma Jie, Winemaker at Cunshan
Wang Xuepeng, Manager of Taoniuling Vineyard
Lao Teng, Grower at Bona Baifu
Zhang Peng, Founder of Wotu Intelligence
Wang Fei, Winemaker at Xige Winery
Relevant staff from Changyu
These experts shared insights into the current status and future of AI in winemaking.
The recently popular AI model Deepseek has become an everyday tool across industries—including winemaking.
"If AI grower technology matures and becomes widespread, human growers might be out of work," said Lao Teng in an interview with Wine Magazine. He explained that Deepseek provides technical solutions for grape cultivation, temperature control, water management, and pest control. However, the adoption of AI-driven viticulture remains limited. He believes human growers should embrace AI as a decision-making assistant rather than fear it.
Many interviewees mentioned the growing use of AI-powered monitoring systems, highlighting its increasing industry presence.
"The fermentation parameter monitoring system has been our focus for years," said Wang Fei, Winemaker at Xige Winery. "Fermentation is a critical stage requiring precise control over temperature and multiple factors. AI helps enhance stability, control, and reduce human errors."
Similarly, Xi Qiang, Head of Meihe Manor, emphasized AI’s efficiency in winemaking analysis:
"AI processes winemaking data faster than traditional lab testing, providing real-time, objective, and error-free results—even during non-working hours."
He also noted AI’s ability to optimize sterile and low-oxygen conditions, reducing contamination risks caused by human handling.
Ma Jie pointed out AI's role in intelligent anaerobic storage—a technology gaining traction in European wineries.
"This AI-controlled storage maintains an ideal anaerobic environment, eliminating pest and fire risks while automatically adjusting humidity and temperature in real time."
On the vineyard side, Wang Xuepeng, Manager at Taoniuling Vineyard, highlighted AI’s technical advantages:
"AI surpasses human growers in vineyard inspections. It detects mildew spore germination—something humans can't see—and provides comprehensive vineyard data without missing any detail."
Despite this, he remains optimistic about human involvement in viticulture:
"No matter how AI evolves, humans will always be needed. The wine industry is niche, and growers will continue to play a role for years to come. And if AI eventually replaces us, at least we can sit back and enjoy life!"
While AI demonstrates powerful capabilities, most industry professionals agree it is not yet ready to fully replace human expertise.
A Changyu insider commented:
"We are China's first digital wine enterprise and have led the industry in smart planting and winemaking. However, we remain cautious about replacing human labor entirely. Wine and brandy perform differently each year, and a winemaker's experience is crucial. AI may produce an 85-point wine, but a 100-point wine requires human intuition."
Ma Jie believes AI falls short in innovation and customization:
"AI is more suited for large-scale winemaking, where uniformity and stability are prioritized. However, boutique wineries value customization and creativity. For example, some wineries have experimented with wines infused with tea leaves—an idea only humans could conceive."
This sentiment extends beyond winemaking. Many AI-generated texts, while logically sound, lack the warmth and emotion of human writing. Similarly, winemaking demands artistic expression, which AI struggles to replicate.
Wang Fei echoed this view:
"Winemaking is personal. Each winemaker interprets flavors differently, adding to the charm of the craft. AI can monitor and analyze data, but subtle adjustments still require human expertise."
Xi Qiang added:
"AI lacks the ability to consider complex market trends and consumer preferences. It also struggles with unique climatic variations that impact terroir expression each year."
Zhang Peng, founder of Wotu Intelligence, has been developing smart agricultural robots since 2022. His company has attracted international investment and grown significantly.
"Our vineyard robots autonomously operate, analyze leaf health, monitor growth conditions, and generate detailed reports for growers."
However, he remains realistic about AI’s limitations:
"AI is a powerful tool for efficiency, cost reduction, and quality optimization. But ultimately, humans must make the final agronomic decisions based on AI-generated insights."
While AI is making significant advancements in viticulture and winemaking, full automation remains a distant future, especially in creative and sensory-driven aspects of the craft.
As Lao Teng aptly summarized:
"The beauty of wine lies in its diversity and unpredictability—qualities shaped by nature and human touch. AI can assist, but it will never replace the passion, warmth, and artistry of winemakers."
