The signs roughly translate to "Automated vehicle in use." It's referring to the vitibot the grower uses to dig up weeds in her vine rows. I expect that it uses GPS to navigate the vineyard. Here's a photo I took last year.
An interesting use of the exclamation point!
I also noticed another activity out back in that newly replanted parcel. I couldn't see well enough to realize what they were doing, but this morning it became clear. They were watering the new vines. Watering is not permitted in AOP vineyards, but I'm guessing that it's ok when establishing a new parcel. The vines aren't producing fruit yet, so there's no impact on the wine. But those little vines need some help to become well established.
It certainly gets your attention!
ReplyDeleteBettyAnn
Watering is not allowed??? What’s that about? Very interesting!
ReplyDeletemitch, !!!
ReplyDeletebettyann, !!!
judy, !!! It has to do with terroir. I do read that there are always some circumstances where irrigation is permitted, but it is strictly regulated. !!!
Curious coincidence. I had just watched a segment of a TV programme all about automation in farming: automated milking parlours (even down to clearing out the slurry) and, yes, huge GPS-based machines to work out which spits needed more or less feeding, and so on. Fascinating.
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