A Groundbreaking Comparative Investigation of Manual Versus Mechanized Grape Harvesting: Unraveling Their Impact on Must Composition, Enological Quality, and Economic Viability in Modern Romanian Viticulture
2025
Călin Gheorghe Topan | Claudiu Ioan Bunea | Adriana Paula David | Anamaria Călugăr | Anca Cristina Babeș | Maria Popescu | Flavius Ruben Mateaș | Alexandru Nicolescu | Florin Dumitru Bora
This study evaluates the impact of grape variety and harvesting method&mdash:manual versus mechanized&mdash:on must composition, wine quality, and economic performance in the Tâ:rnave viticultural area of Romania. Four grape varieties&mdash:Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Fetească: Regală:, and Muscat Ottonel&mdash:were analyzed. Manual harvesting increased reducing sugars by 4.3&ndash:5.1 g/L and decreased titratable acidity by 0.6&ndash:0.8 g/L, particularly in Pinot Noir and Muscat Ottonel. Alcohol content was higher by 0.4&ndash:0.6 vol% in manually harvested samples, and dry extract increased by 1.0&ndash:1.3 g/L. Mechanized harvesting raised catechin concentrations by 15&ndash:19 mg/L due to enhanced skin maceration, but also slightly elevated volatile acidity (by ~0.1 g/L). From an economic perspective, labor cost was reduced from 480 lei/ton (approx. EUR 96) for manual harvesting to 120 lei/ton (approx. EUR 24) with mechanization. Fuel and maintenance costs for mechanized equipment averaged 85 lei/ha (EUR 17), and equipment depreciation was estimated at 100 lei/ton (EUR 20). The total harvesting cost per ton decreased from 480&ndash:520 lei to 300&ndash:320 lei (approx. EUR 96 to EUR 64), representing a ~38% reduction. The study supports a hybrid approach: manual harvesting for sensitive or premium cultivars, and mechanization for cost-efficient, large-scale production, aligning wine quality goals with economic sustainability.
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