An international jury made up of 30 experts awarded the INNOVATION AWARD of the technology trade fair for wine, juice and special crops to seven companies from over 50 entries. "Our jury has very high standards", stated Norbert Weber, President of the German Winegrowers' Association. "Hence why this year the possible award of four gold and four silver medals was not realised. We also presented three special awards."

Gold medals go to the Mosel wine region and Italy

Carl Hoffmann Landmaschinen from Piesport on the River Mosel took gold in the category "Cultivation and Harvesting Technology" for the new development of a steep slope harvester. With the CH 500, the company presents the first practical harvester for winegrowing on steep slopes. The second gold medal goes to the Italian company TMCI Padovan for the development of a high-performance crossflow filter. Its high degree of control and automation reduces the number of operating personnel and minimises the energy required filtering lees from the wine. TMCI Padovan was honoured in the category "Processing and Process Control".

Five innovations receive silver medals

"Significant technical advances can also lie in the detail of a machine, as well as in the complete new development", explains Norbert Weber. For instance, the reduced workload by an innovative, hydraulic adjusting unit for a disc harrow from the company Herzau + Schmitt from Fulda is so beneficial that the jury awarded it a silver medal in the category "Cultivation and Harvesting Technology". As the disc harrow axles can be replaced with rotary harrow elements, the machine can also be used in the cultivation of special crops such as fruit and asparagus.

The objective of innovative methods in microbiology is to optimise the quality of the wine. The enzyme product Trenolin®BouquetPlus from Erbslöh from Geisenheim, which improves the varietal aromas, also for sweet wines, was awarded a silver medal by the jury in the category "Processing and Process Control".

Cork taste is a topic which hinders the enjoyment of wine. Two companies, Amorim Cork, Germany, and M. A. Silva Corticas, Portugal, developed preventative testing procedures in order to guarantee tasteless corks. Both companies received a silver medal for their products in the category "Filling and Packaging Technology".

The jury gave another silver medal in the category "Organisation and Marketing" for a new information platform for winegrowing companies with construction plans by the Bavarian State Institute for Viticulture and Horticulture in Veitshöchheim. BayWeinTEK is the contact point for anyone looking for a simple introduction to the topic of renovation and expansion of their wine estates.

Jury awards three special prizes

The jury honoured the efforts of the supplier industry on innovative, forward-looking ways in countering the problems of climate change in the oenological sector with three special prizes. If the sugar breakdown by wine yeast leads to other products instead of alcohol, a lower alcohol content can be attained despite the higher must sugar. Following the application of classic selection methods, the two companies Erbslöh from Geisenheim and Lallemand from Vienna are launching corresponding yeast strains on the market. Lallemand received another special prize for a product used for the defence of lactic acid and acetic acid bacteria, which lowers the risk of failures and aroma problems during the fermentation phase.

During the award ceremony, DWV President Norbert Weber made reference to the basic concept and reason behind the competition: "The German Winegrowers' Association, as organiser of INTERVITIS INTERFRUCTA HORTITECHNICA, in collaboration with the German Agricultural Society, is recognising the superb achievements of exhibitors who are contributing to the progress of our industry. Technical innovations allow us to continuously improve the quality of the products and acquire customers in a competitive global environment."

The jury recognised 26 of the entries received as innovations – this represented over half of all submissions. "This result demonstrates that the supplier industry is working closely with the industry and constantly striving to optimise the already high technical standards", added Norbert Weber.

DWV General Secretary, Dr. Rudolf Nickenig, clarified: "The exchange of experiences and information among scientists, advisors, representatives of the supplier industry and practitioners makes a significant contribution towards triggering further innovative and technical development." He also defined the competition in the overall concept of the Stuttgart-based event: "INTERVITIS INTERFRUCTA HORTITECHNICA offers visitors an excellent market overview of the innovations in the industry. The Innovation Award is a key element of the event. Together with the combination of international press and the international winegrowing congress, the machine demonstrations, the special show "Drones and Robots", the tasting workshop and discussions in the wine meet-up, it is an unrivalled industry platform. The entire German winegrowing industry can be proud."

The INNOVATION AWARD 2016 accepted entries for processes, technical products and services in four categories:

• Cultivation and Harvesting Technology
• Processing and Process Control
• Filling and Packaging Technology
• Organisation and Marketing

The entries were assessed according to the following criteria:

• Degree of innovation
• Importance and applicability to everyday use
• Advantages for the company and the workers
• Impact on the quality of the end product
• Improvement of environmental and energy situation
• Effect on occupational safety
• Impact on marketing

In order to guarantee a completely independent result, neither the DWV, the DLG, Landesmesse Stuttgart or the supplier industry, are represented on the jury for the innovation award.

The award-winning innovations and the prizewinners will be on show from 27 to 30 November 2016 at INTERVITIS INTERFRUCTA HORTITECHNICA. Technical advances against the background of climate change and globalisation is the guiding theme of the 62nd German Winegrowers' Congress. For more information please visit www.dwv-kongress.de.