Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) has launched a groundbreaking, world-first automation system at its Barossa Valley winery. The $10 million investment includes nine driverless forklifts, custom barrel management software, automated barrel washing and filling facilities, and individual barrel identification, setting a new standard in the winemaking industry.
This state-of-the-art system operates 24 hours a day, five days a week, increasing the winery’s red wine handling capacity to 125,000 barrels, a 60% boost. The automation reduces energy consumption and improves safety by minimising manual handling tasks. The driverless forklifts, also known as autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs), are controlled by a customised digital management system developed with Nukon, part of the SAGE Group. This technology allows the team to remotely manage the barrels throughout the maturation process.
Kerrin Petty, Chief Supply & Sustainability Officer at TWE, says, “Our Barossa Valley site is quickly becoming an international hub for innovation in winemaking and sustainability. The full automation in our barrel hall enhances our capacity for luxury and premium winemaking, allowing us to produce more of our renowned wines for a global audience while ensuring a safer working environment.”
The automation system not only improves the winery’s operational efficiency but also enhances traceability and quality control for TWE’s 60,000 barrels of wine, including brands like Penfolds, Pepperjack, and Saltram. The technology, tailored to the site by Italy-based E80 Group, supports TWE’s goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2030, with the forklifts powered by 100% renewable electricity.
The barrel hall’s autonomous guided vehicle in action. Credit: Treasury Wine Estates.
TWE Cellar Area Lead Daniel Bergen leads a tour of the automated barrel handling system at the Barossa Valley site during the official launch. Credit: Treasury Wine Estates.
TWE Chief Supply & Sustainability Officer Kerrin Petty at the official opening, with Barossa Mayor Bim Lange OAM, Member for Schubert Ashton Hurn MP, and TWE Director of Supply Technology & Innovation Jodie Rowlands. Image Credit: Treasury Wine Estates
Project planning and trials for the system began in late 2020, with the integrated system becoming fully operational in June 2024. This initiative follows a $165 million expansion of the Barossa Valley facility in 2022, making it TWE’s largest bottling operation globally.
For more information on Treasury Wine Estates’ automation system and sustainability efforts, visit their official website.
