After more than two decades in manufacturing systems and enterprise software development, I’ve become fascinated by a specific challenge: how modern technology can better serve small to medium-sized wineries without compromising the craft of winemaking.

I’m currently speaking with winery professionals about their experiences with production, compliance, and customer management systems. If you work in wine production, I’d love to hear your perspective. Email me at [email protected].

Why Wine Production?

Manufacturing taught me that the best systems enhance rather than replace human expertise. Wine production embodies this principle perfectly - it’s where production processes meet artisanal craft. While modern business systems have revolutionized traditional manufacturing, the wine industry faces unique challenges that standard solutions don’t quite address:

• Production cycles that span seasons rather than shifts
• Quality parameters that evolve rather than conform
• A need to track both science (pH, Brix) and craft (taste, blend decisions)
• Complex relationships with customers through wine clubs and direct sales
• Compliance requirements that vary by region and product

Current Research Focus

I’m exploring how technology could better support:

• Production tracking that respects the winemaking process
• Quality management that enhances rather than constrains craft decisions
• Direct customer relationships through wine clubs and tasting room sales
• Customer engagement across digital and in-person experiences
• Compliance documentation that doesn’t create administrative burden
• Inventory systems that understand the unique nature of wine aging and blending

Connect With Your Customers

Modern wineries need to manage more than just production. Today’s customers expect:

• Easy online ordering and wine club management
• Personalized experiences and recommendations
• Seamless transitions between online and tasting room visits
• Special event bookings and communications
• Regular updates about new releases and club shipments

Yet most systems either handle production OR customer relationships - rarely both well.

Share Your Experience

If you work in wine production, I’d love to hear your perspective on:

• How you currently manage production tracking and quality control
• Where existing technology helps or hinders your processes
• How you maintain relationships with wine club members and direct customers
• What unique challenges your winery faces with current systems
• How you balance traditional practices with modern requirements

Reach out to me at [email protected] to share your insights or schedule a conversation.

Background

I bring over 25 years of experience in manufacturing and technology:

Building and implementing manufacturing systems since the late 1990s Two decades of enterprise software development Masters degree in Artificial Intelligence with published research Deep expertise in quality control processes and compliance tracking across industries

I’m now exploring how this knowledge, combined with modern technology like AI, could better serve the specific needs of wine production while enhancing customer relationships.

Note: I’m not selling anything. My goal is to understand the genuine challenges wineries face with current technology solutions, and to explore how modern systems could better serve the industry while respecting its craft.