Floor Talks
Located outside in the Floor Talks marquee, listen and learn from industry experts during our exhibitor Floor Talk sessions.
Tuesday 23rd June
11:30am
Enhancing NZ Wine Quality & Visitor Experiences with Precision Climate Control
Temperature and humidity control are critical in winery operations, particularly for grape storage and fermentation where stable conditions support consistent quality and reduce product loss. These requirements extend to non-process areas such as tasting rooms, hospitality spaces, retail areas, and accommodation where efficient air conditioning and hot water systems help maintain occupant comfort while minimising energy use.
Taking a whole‑of‑site approach to building services can support operational efficiency, lower environmental impact, and long‑term sustainability.
Presented by Fahad Dad from Daikin New Zealand
12:30pm
Future Post – Mythbusting
Join Future Post for a practical floor talk that tackles the most common questions and misconceptions about recycled plastic vineyard posts. We’ll address durability, strength, cost, installation, and long-term performance compared with other methods. Learn how posts made from 100% New Zealand recycled plastic perform in real vineyard conditions and why many growers are making the switch.
This short, straight-talk session will separate myth from fact and give you the information you need to confidently evaluate Future Post for your vineyard. Perfect for growers, managers, and anyone curious about the future of vineyard infrastructure.
Presented by Kylie Potts from Future Post Limited
2:30pm
All-Electric Autonomous Spraying
TRS Sprayers & Equipment and Peek Robotics are showcasing the future of vineyard technology, combining precision spray engineering with autonomous robotics. Both New Zealand manufacturers, TRS Sprayers & Equipment of advanced vineyard and orchard sprayers, and Peek Robotics, developers of electric autonomous agricultural platforms, have partnered to deliver a fully integrated solution for modern vineyards.
The TRS electric in-row sprayer mounted with Peek’s autonomous robotic platform, featuring electric fans, intelligent spray control, RTK GPS guidance and advanced sensors enables zero-emission operation, precision spraying and reduced labour demand, supporting more sustainable and efficient vineyard management.
Presented by Tim Curr & Garry Peek from TRS Wholesale & Peek Robotics
3:30pm
Wine Filtration & Applications
This short floor talk will provide an overview of the key wine filtration technologies available within the Omnia Technologies group. It will explore how different filtration approaches can be applied across the winemaking process to improve clarity, stability, and product consistency.
The presentation will highlight crossflow filtration, both ceramic and polymeric, as well as selective filtration solutions for decolourising and dealcoholising, outlining their practical applications and benefits for modern wineries seeking flexible, efficient processing solutions.
Presented by Blair Hanel from Omnia Technologies Pacific
Wednesday 24th June
10:30am
Decentralised Automation: Smarter, Scalable Control for New Zealand Wineries
Discover how decentralised automation is reshaping winemaking in New Zealand. In this fast paced floor talk, you’ll see how smart valves, sensors, and modular control systems can cut downtime, boost consistency, and simplify expansion, without overhauling your winery.
This 15 minute floor talk will showcase smarter and simpler control across the entire winemaking process. Through winery focused examples, you’ll learn how intelligent field devices, real time data, and modular system design reduce manual intervention, streamline expansion, and improve product quality.
A practical, insight rich session tailored specifically to New Zealand’s unique winemaking environment.
Presented by Patrick Glencross from Burkert New Zealand Limited
11:30am
Beyond the Cellar Door: Building Global Wine Club Loyalty
Presented by Emily McCutcheon from Commerce7
12:30pm
From Iron Sand to Vineyard: The Ag-Steel Story
We’ll highlight how our steel journey begins as iron sand on the West Coast and evolves into premium vineyard solutions. With over 40 years of New Zealand manufacturing experience, we have designed our vine post products in collaboration with vineyard managers, to reflect real-world needs.
We remain committed to delivering reliable, sustainable solutions for New Zealand growers—today and for decades to come.
Presented by Andy Forgesson from Industrial Tube Manufacturing LTD
1:30pm
Autonomous Tractors in Vineyards: Real Results, Right Now
In this floor talk session, you’ll see how autonomous electric tractors are already mowing and spraying in New Zealand vineyards, including real examples from sites like Wither Hills. We’ll show what the machines can do today, how they fit into your operation, and what’s involved in getting started.
You’ll get a clear view of safety, reliability, and day-to-day use in real conditions. We’ll also share how growers are reducing diesel, easing labour pressure, and getting consistent results. You’ll leave with a practical understanding of what’s possible right now.
Presented by Richard Beaumont from Agovor eTractors
2:30 pm
Smarter Fermentations: An Enartis Automation & Real-Time Monitoring Approach
Winemaking is evolving beyond individual products toward fully connected winery ecosystems. This talk showcases how Enartis, Parsec, and Winegrid technologies work together to automatise alcoholic fermentation management.
From carefully selected yeast strains to automated in-line nutrient microdosing, temperature control, and real-time monitoring. Each solution brings value, but the true advantage comes from their integration.
Together, they enable more precise, responsive, and informed decision-making, helping winemakers reduce risk, improve consistency, and elevate quality. Discover how integrated yeast-nutrition, automation, and data-driven insights are shaping the future of smarter, connected winemaking.
Presented by Rocco Longo from Enartis Pacific
3:30pm
Make Vineyard Issues Visible and Actionable
From missed notes and verbal handovers to clear, mapped actions in the field. This session explores how vineyard teams can quickly capture trouble spots, record what matters, and turn issues into manageable follow-up work.
Presented by Martin Welford from Archer
Thursday 25th June
10:30am
Who is the Bioeconomy Science Institute?
Formed in 2025 from the merger of four Crown Research Institutes, the Bioeconomy Science Institute is New Zealand’s largest research organisation.
With more than 2000 people, the Bioeconomy Science Institute is advancing innovation in agriculture, horticulture, forestry, aquaculture, viticulture, biotechnology and manufacturing; protecting and enhancing ecosystems from biosecurity threats and climate risks; and developing new bio-based technologies and products.
Bringing together the skills and capabilities of AgResearch, Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research, Plant & Food Research and Scion, the Bioeconomy Science Institute has expertise in plant and animal systems, advanced manufacturing, agritech, biotechnology, and the food, biomaterials and environmental sectors.
Presented by the Bioeconomy Science Institute
11:30am
Energy Efficiency, The Future
What we really focus on is energy efficiency—finding smarter ways to run mechanical systems so they use less power and cost less to operate. We audit existing setups, identify inefficiencies, and make targeted improvements that deliver real savings for the customer. Sustainability is a natural outcome of that—by reducing energy use, we’re also helping lower environmental impact.
Presented by Jamie Hubbard from Hydramech
12:30pm
Your Wine Is Fine. Your Wastewater Isn’t.
Farra Engineering works alongside vineyard owners, growers, and winemakers to tackle one of the most underestimated problems in wine production: wastewater solids and organic load management.
With hands-on experience in wastewater screening we understand compliance risk, system failures, and the true cost of blocked pumps and rising Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD).
Specialising in engineered, self-cleaning milliscreens designed specifically for wineries, Farra Milliscreens help remove skins, seeds, and stems before they cause downstream chaos. The result? Lower BOD, protected infrastructure, irrigation that keeps flowing, and valuable organic solids recovered for composting-so you can focus on wine, not wastewater.
Presented by Sally Henderson, & Mark Acreman from Farra Engineering Limited
1:30pm
Getting More From Every Drop: Smarter Irrigation & Fertigation
We will be giving an overview of GrowSphere, Netafim’s cloud based platform that helps growers manage irrigation and fertigation with better accuracy and visibility.
The talk isn’t about products, but about how digital tools can support smarter water and nutrient management, improve consistency, and simplify decision making on farm. We’ll look at how connected control systems help growers respond to changing conditions, streamline workflows and gain clearer insight into crop requirements.
The focus is on practical insights that encourage growers to rethink how they manage irrigation and fertigation.
Presented by John Witherspoon from Netafim New Zealand