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Government of South Australia - Department of State Development

    News

    10th Sep 2025
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    Manufacturing

    Addressing wine processing challenges with innovative tools

    What if manufacturers could achieve a 15-20% reduction in energy usage thanks to innovative technologies?

    Winning over 160 trophies for the wines they produce, South Australian wine processor McLaren Vintners pride themselves in achieving excellence.

    Amongst the success, wine processing can come with a host of challenges such as high energy consumption, labour-intensive manual monitoring, and the risk of product loss due to temperature fluctuations.

    Now, thanks to the Manufacturing Technology Adoption Program (MTAP), an initiative of the Department of State Development, McLaren Vintners have implemented a real-time cloud-based temperature and fermentation control system across 95 stainless steel wine storage tanks.

    Case Study Photo 1

    Tara Madgett, McLaren Vintners General Manager says this technology addresses their challenges by reducing energy costs, minimising human error, providing real-time alerts to protect valuable stock, and ensuring consistent fermentation outcomes – ultimately strengthening the quality and reliability of the wines produced.

    “The introduction of this system has modernised how we manage wine storage and fermentation,” explained Tara. “Remote monitoring and automated controls have reduced the need for manual interventions, freeing our team to focus on higher-value tasks.”

    “Early indications show improvements in energy efficiency, with projections of a 15–20% reduction in refrigeration usage through pulse and proactive cooling algorithms. The ability to maintain precise fermentation conditions is already reducing batch variability and improving wine consistency, which is critical for maintaining customer confidence and brand reputation,” Tara said.

    “Furthermore, the detailed data capture and reporting capability gives us valuable insights for process improvement, helping us operate more sustainably, efficiently, and competitively.”

    From their involvement and success with MTAP, McLaren Vintners advocate other local manufacturers to get involved and have advice for applying.

    “Our advice is to view MTAP as an opportunity to invest in technologies that will set your business up for long-term resilience. Start by identifying your biggest operational challenges – whether that’s energy use, labour efficiency, or product consistency – and then look for technologies that can provide both immediate and future benefits,” said Tara.

    “Don’t underestimate the value of data-driven systems, having access to real-time insights has been a game-changer for us.”

    “Finally, be clear in your application about how the technology aligns with your business goals and the broader industry challenges. The support provided through MTAP made it possible for us to adopt a system that we otherwise would have struggled to finance, and the benefits are already proving to be significant.”

    View the guidelines, eligibility and apply for MTAP