Versatility beyond construction

A Merlo 30.9 telehandler has become the quiet workhorse behind the operations of one of Western Australia’s most unconventional wineries.

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On the coastline of Western Australia, one distinctive agribusiness venture is redefining wine production.

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.

Behind this operation is a piece of equipment central to day-to-day productivity: the Merlo 30.9 telehandler.

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 nonnegotiable.

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