This blog post is based on the 27th Practice Abstract from the second batch of Farmtopia Practice Abstracts.
For small and medium-sized winegrowers, digital farming can offer valuable information about weather, crop conditions and disease risks. But having access to data does not automatically make it easier to decide what to do next.
A weather dashboard may show changing conditions, for example, but the farmer still needs to interpret what those conditions mean for disease prevention, irrigation or crop protection. For smaller vineyards, frequent visits from an agronomist can also be costly and difficult to organise.
The Fellow@Field (F@F) Sustainable Innovation Pilot explored how digital tools can bridge this gap by bringing together farm data and accessible agronomic expertise.
From vineyard data to practical advice
Developed by Atfield Technologies within the Farmtopia Sustainable Innovation Pilot programme, Fellow@Field builds on the existing Winessense precision viticulture platform and adds a set of tools designed around collaboration between winegrowers and advisors.
The solution was co-created with Vino Brkic d.o.o. in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a focus on making remote vineyard management and advisory support more practical. F@F introduces four key capabilities:
- Agronomist collaboration: Vineyard owners can share weather readings, disease-risk information and activity logs with remote advisors, allowing recommendations to be provided without an immediate physical visit.
- Photo diary: Farmers can document visual observations in the vineyard and share them directly through the platform, creating a structured record instead of relying on informal photo exchanges.
- Chemical treatment calculator: The tool provides condition-specific guidance for pesticide and fungicide preparation, helping farmers avoid errors associated with fixed mixing habits.
- OpenWeatherMap integration: Affordable weather data can be used as an alternative to installing an on-site weather station, reducing the infrastructure needed to get started.
The platform is also designed to work with IoT sensors from different manufacturers, with interoperability being validated with additional hardware providers.
Reducing unnecessary treatments and vineyard visits
The pilot demonstrated several practical benefits. At Vino Brkic, the reported reduction in fungicide and pesticide applications reached 33% in 2025/2026, compared with the baseline. Across the wider user experience described in the Practice Abstract, many users reported saving the equivalent of two to three chemical treatments.
The pilot also reported a 33% reduction in vineyard visits at Vino Brkic during 2025/2026. Remote data sharing and communication with agronomists can reduce the need for some physical inspections, particularly when an advisor can first review the available information remotely.
The approach is also intended to support more efficient water and input management. The Practice Abstract estimates potential water savings of approximately 1,000 litres per hectare through more precise treatment timing and the use of localised weather information. For farmers who cannot justify frequent on-site advisory services, remote consultation can provide a more accessible way to connect with agronomic expertise.
The value is in the collaboration
One of the key lessons from Fellow@Field is that digital farming does not necessarily need to start with full automation. The platform is designed around a simple principle: data becomes more useful when it can be discussed with someone who understands the farm.
A farmer can collect information from sensors and other digital sources, while an agronomist can use that information to help interpret disease risks, field conditions or treatment decisions. This creates a structured digital channel for collaboration without removing the farmer from the decision-making process.
For small vineyards, this can be particularly valuable when professional advice is needed but regular physical visits are not practical.
Practical recommendations for winegrowers
For farmers considering a similar approach, the pilot recommends starting with data sharing before moving towards full automation. A basic combination of sensor information and a collaborative digital platform can already provide value by improving communication between the farmer and advisor. Winegrowers should also consider:
- Use the technology around the existing workflow. Digital tools are more likely to be adopted when they support the way farmers already manage their vineyards.
- Create a structured record of observations. A photo diary and activity records can make it easier for both farmers and advisors to follow changes over time.
- Combine digital information with expert judgement. Weather, disease-risk models and sensor readings should support, rather than replace, decisions based on the specific vineyard.
- Start with affordable infrastructure. Weather services and compatible sensors can provide useful information without requiring a large initial investment.
- Consider the economics. The Practice Abstract reports that experience from more than 150 users across Europe indicates a potential return of €3–€12 for every €1 invested over a five-year period, based on a five-hectare vineyard.
Making digital viticulture more accessible: Fellow@Field shows how precision viticulture can move beyond simply collecting more data.
By connecting vineyard monitoring, remote agronomic advice, farmer observations and practical decision-support tools, the platform aims to make digital farming more useful for smaller vineyards. The pilot experience suggests that farmers do not necessarily need a highly automated system to benefit from digitalisation. A reliable way to share information with a trusted advisor can already help reduce unnecessary treatments, limit some vineyard visits and support more informed management decisions.
For small and medium-sized winegrowers, the combination of data + expertise + a practical digital workflow could be a more accessible path towards sustainable and efficient vineyard management.
About this Practice Abstract
Official title: A Digital Decision-Support and Advisory Platform for Sustainable and Efficient Vineyard Management (Fellow@Field OC SIP)
This blog post was created from Practice Abstract 27, part of the second batch of Farmtopia Practice Abstracts.
Publisher: Atfield Technologies d.o.o.
Author: Srdjan Tadic
Contact: srdjan@atfield.tech
Further information: Winessense platform, Atfield Technologies and Farmtopia provide additional information related to the solution and its development.