On the coastline of Western Australia, one distinctive agribusiness venture is redefining wine production, with support from a Merlo 30.9 telehandler.
At Augusta’s Subsea Estate, bottles of Margaret River wine are matured beneath the ocean surface in a process that combines natural pressure, temperature stability, and constant movement to create unique flavour profiles.
Subsea Estate, recognised as the Southern Hemisphere’s first open-ocean winery, relies on the machine to manage a range of lifting, loading and marine support tasks in an environment where reliability is non-negotiable.
Founder Brad Adams said the Merlo telehandler has proven ideal for the business’ specialised requirements.
“Vats containing wine for secondary fermentation are loaded onto our boats at the wharf, then towed offshore,” Brad said.
“These fermentation vats are submerged to a depth of around 18 metres and secured to the sea floor. After six to eight months, they are returned to the wharf, unloaded by the Merlo telehandler and transported to the winery for final processing.”
Built for versatility
The telehandler is used to move what the business refers to as “coffins” — submerged fermentation containers weighing about 400 kilograms when full. The machine lifts the containers from trucks, loads them onto vessels, and unloads them again once the maturation cycle is complete.
However, wine handling is only one part of the Merlo’s workload. The machine also tows trailers used to launch and retrieve workboats, assists with maintenance operations, unloads daily abalone harvests of up to one tonne, and supports broader harbour activities.
“Cooperation is a dominant theme of our
harbourside community,” Brad said. “The Merlo telehandler is constantly being borrowed.
“Marine Rescue Augusta often calls on it to move search and rescue equipment. Other operators ask for help lifting heavy loads from fishing vessels, and we are regularly asked to assist with launching larger boats and trailers.”
The machine’s four-wheel drive capability and compact footprint have made it effective around ramps, wharves and other tight marine environments.
Performance in harsh conditions
For any machinery operating in a coastal setting, corrosion resistance and uptime are critical. Salt air, moisture, and heavy usage can shorten equipment life if machines are not engineered for durability.
Brad said the Merlo has outperformed a previous telehandler used by the business.
“We had another brand before this, but it had a limited life span because of the salt air environment and persistent high use,” he said.
“The Merlo met our operational specifications and represented good value for money. Our decision was also influenced by its reputation for reliability, longevity and resale value.”
After four years of demanding daily use, Brad said the machine has required no replacement parts and has experienced no mechanical or hydraulic failures.
Safety and ease of operation
In multi-purpose operations where several staff may need to operate machinery, ease of training and intuitive controls are advantages.
Brad said the Merlo’s user-friendly design has enabled multiple team members to become trained operators, helping improve workflow flexibility and workplace efficiency.
“It’s operator-friendly and training is straightforward,” he said. “Many of our people are trained in its use.”
The machine’s hook attachment handles most lifting duties, while forks are used for pallet movement and transporting refrigerated containers for truck loading.
Supporting innovation
Subsea Estate was established by Brad in partnership with French company Winereef, founded by Emmanuel Poirmeur. The patented viniculture process offers an alternative to conventional land-based ageing by maturing wine at depths of up to 20m offshore.
Ocean currents keep yeast in suspension during secondary fermentation, while underwater pressure encourages the release of flavour compounds not typically found in land-aged wines. Constant darkness and stable temperatures contribute to slower, more nuanced maturation.
For a business built on innovation, dependable equipment remains essential.
“The Merlo telehandler is the perfect machine for our operation,” Brad said. “It has enhanced the efficiency, safety and productivity of everything we do.”
For more information: visit www.merlo.com/aus/en.
