April 20, 2026 (Hopland, CA) — Bonterra Organic Estates, a leader in organic and regenerative growing practices, today announced a new pilot project with Saga Robotics to deploy autonomous, electric Thorvald robots across its estate vineyards in inland Mendocino County.
The pilot program will introduce six lightweight robots across approximately 200 acres of Bonterra’s estate vineyards in Hopland. Designed to manage fungal disease using UV-C light, the technology represents a significant step forward in reducing inputs, lowering carbon emissions, and strengthening vineyard ecosystems.
At the core of the pilot is a simple but transformative idea: replacing traditional spray programs with precision light treatments. Thorvald robots move autonomously through vineyard rows at night, applying targeted UV-C light to vine canopies. This light disrupts fungal DNA, preventing diseases such as powdery mildew, botrytis, and sour rot from reproducing and spreading. Unlike standard sulfur-based fungicide spray applications, common in organic vineyards, this approach is non-residual, leaving no material behind on the vine or soil.
Research trials, including a peer-reviewed study from Cornell University, have demonstrated that UV-C treatments can match or exceed traditional fungicide programs in disease control, without negatively impacting vine growth, yield, or fruit quality.
Weighing just 900 pounds—approximately 10 times lighter than a traditional tractor and spray rig—Thorvald robots represent a shift away from heavy, disruptive machinery toward precision systems that protect soil health and the local ecosystem. The robots are fully electric and powered by renewable energy sourced by Bonterra, reducing the vineyard’s carbon footprint.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Saga Robotics as early adopters of this exciting technology,” said Joseph Brinkley, Bonterra’s Senior Director of Regenerative Organic Development. “We continue to strive for innovative ways to lessen our impacts while increasing the resiliency of our farming systems, and we’re excited to help define the next era of technology-enabled regenerative viticulture.”
“Bonterra’s leadership in regenerative viticulture is grounded in action,” said Caine Thompson, General Manager of Saga Robotics US. “By deploying technologies like Thorvald, they’re proving that innovation can fundamentally redefine how wine is grown.”
For Bonterra, the pilot reflects a broader commitment to continuous improvement through innovation. By integrating cutting-edge technology into organic and regenerative systems, the company aims to further reduce environmental impact while enhancing wine quality.
About Bonterra Organic Estates
Founded by Barney Fetzer in Mendocino County, CA, in 1968 as Fetzer Vineyards, and today part of global wine leader Viña Concha y Toro, Bonterra Organic Estates produces the nation’s leading organically farmed eponymous wine brand. A certified B Corporation since 2015, its powerhouse portfolio of California wine brands includes the heritage brand Fetzer and California’s original bourbon barrel-aged wine, 1000 Stories, as well as category disruptor Bonterra Ranch Wine.
About Saga Robotics
Saga Robotics is leading the transition from chemical- and carbon-intensive agriculture to a new generation of electric, autonomous, low-impact farming systems. Its Thorvald platform replaces sprays with light, breaks reliance on heavy, disease-driven spray passes, and brings continuous field intelligence to every acre. Purpose-built for vineyards and soft fruit, Thorvald elevates crop quality while preserving the ecosystem—significantly reducing chemical inputs and carbon emissions. This is more than incremental change. It is a redefinition of how food is grown: cleaner, lighter, and built for the future of farming.
