La Rioja Alta, S.A. winery group has launched an ambitious project that uses new technologies, including artificial vision, revolutionizing the way traceability and quality are managed and controlled, with the use of a newly developed application.

José Domingo Reinares, Process Manager, La Rioja Alta, S.A. said that “we have been working on this new system for over a year and it has been in operation since the end of June. It allows us to identify and monitor each and every bottle individually, from the moment the wine is labelled until it is delivered to every client, distributor or importer anywhere in the world.”

To this end, a 360° artificial vision system has been installed in the bottling line that employs five cameras, completely photographing each bottle and scanning the alphanumeric codes of the official seal granted by the Regulatory Board. All this information is subsequently marked on the bottle by means of a Datamatrix code with ultraviolet ink, which is read automatically, quickly and securely, and is also simultaneously entered in the company's computer system, thereby becoming fully integrated and improving the quality, production and logistics of the winery.

La Rioja Alta, S.A. managing director Ángel Barrasa explained that the recent activation of this new system “will result in clear benefits for the end customer, including absolute control of the finished product, rapid identification and solution of quality problems, detection of possible fraud and, at an internal level, reorganization and optimization of the complex processes involved in the movement of the wines.” According to Barrasa, the project “reinforces us on our path to Industry 4.0., confirming our determined commitment to new technologies and innovation.”