De Bortoli Wines Uncorks Traceability Innovation
De Bortoli Wines Uncorks Traceability Innovation
Partnering with Pyx Global, BizCubed, and GoSource, De Bortoli is embracing advanced traceability tools to address the growing complexities of global compliance and market demands.
De Bortoli Wines, a long-standing and popular family-owned Australian winery, is breaking new ground in the Australian wine industry. Partnering with Pyx Global, BizCubed, and GoSource, De Bortoli is embracing advanced traceability tools to address the growing complexities of global compliance and market demands.
De Bortoli undertook a successful pilot, supported by a Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Traceability Grant, to show how a Digital Link Resolver and Trust Architecture could allow future solutions that align with the United Nations Transparency Protocol (UNTP) and the Australian Agricultural Traceability Protocol (AATP). Already known for its sustainability efforts, this initiative positions De Bortoli as a leader in transparency and demonstrates how technology can turn compliance challenges into competitive advantages.
Since it was founded in 1928, De Bortoli Wines has built a reputation for quality, innovation, and sustainability. The winery exports to over 60 countries, and increasing labelling requirements for the inclusion of things like environmental data and proof of origin have required a scalable solution. The identity resolution service—built on open-source standards— will provide dynamic updates to product data which is accessible by scanning the project barcode or QR code, eliminating the need for costly relabeling and ensuring seamless market access.
Bill Robertson, CIO of De Bortoli Wines, highlighted the strategic impact of this innovation: “Compliance is becoming one of the fastest-growing costs for businesses, but it’s also an opportunity. If you can meet these requirements effectively, you gain a competitive edge. For exporters who can’t, it may act as a non-tariff barrier to market entry.”
This project’s achievement will be a solution that maintains De Bortoli ‘s full control over their data. Once fully implemented the solution will integrate with their existing technology, and leverage the UNTP and AATP to simplify compliance, enhance interoperability, and unlock new market opportunities while maintaining data ownership and security.
A Showcase of Innovation
On 28 November 2024, De Bortoli Wines demonstrated their traceability project at the DAFF Traceability Project Demonstration: Outcompeting in a Changing Marketplace, hosted by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) and Pyx Global.
Emma Culley, First Assistant Secretary at DAFF, opened the event by highlighting the importance of traceability in Australia’s agricultural sector. With $120 million in government investments since 2018, traceability is central to biosecurity, market access, and consumer confidence. The event underscored how the National Agricultural Traceability Strategy 2023-2033 is driving innovation.
During the demonstration, De Bortoli showcased their system in action. By scanning a QR code on a wine bottle, a digital product passport was instantly generated, revealing details like product composition, sustainability metrics, and compliance credentials. This live demo illustrated how real-time updates eliminate the need for relabeling, enabling the winery to meet diverse market requirements effortlessly.
Global Context and the Role of UNTP
The success of De Bortoli’s solution lies in its alignment with the UN Transparency Protocol (UNTP), a global standard that simplifies data exchange between buyers and suppliers. Zachary Zeus, CEO of Pyx Global, explained the broader significance: “This is about more than compliance. It’s about creating resilience. By adopting these protocols, businesses like De Bortoli can respond flexibly to market changes, reduce costs, and unlock new opportunities.”
The open-source design of the system ensures seamless integration with existing infrastructures, empowering businesses to maintain data sovereignty while meeting global interoperability standards. This approach addresses mounting compliance demands and evolving trade regulations with agility and foresight.
A Blueprint for the Future
De Bortoli Wines' journey serves as a blueprint for Australian businesses seeking to leverage traceability as a competitive advantage. By adopting open standards and scalable solutions, companies can enhance transparency, build trust, and thrive in dynamic global markets.
The DAFF Pyx Global Traceability Demonstration showcased the power of collaboration between government, industry, and technology partners. It reinforced the value of interoperability and innovation in driving both business and consumer benefits.
As more organisations explore the potential of the UNTP and AATP, De Bortoli Wines stands as a shining example of what's possible when innovation meets ambition.
Acknowledgements and Partners
This project was a collaborative effort led by Pyx Global, with invaluable contributions from:
- Partner Committee Members: CRDC, GS1, MLA, Queensland DAFF, Food Agility, and Hort Innovation.
- Implementation Partners: GoSource, who developed the open-source identity resolution service, and BizCubed, who provided training, support and guidance on implementing those tools and deploying those tools within the De Bortoli environment.
The true hero of this initiative is De Bortoli Wines, for their forward-thinking adoption of the UNTP and digital link resolver technology.
Watch the Demo
Download the DAFF Traceability Project Demonstration featuring De Bortoli Wines via Dropbox.