Day: 24 March 2025

An Aix-en-Provence-based company called Espace Drive has revealed its new self-service wine vending machine, Cave O Vin, which offers producers a space to sell directly to consumers via secure, refrigerated lockers around the clock.

Known as Cave O Vin, the automated system could soon become a common sight along French roadsides. Developed in response to logistical and legal barriers faced by wine producers, the machines offer a low-maintenance way for winemakers to sell directly to consumers without the expense of staff or a traditional shop space.

The dispensers are modular, refrigerated lockers that allow buyers to place an order online and collect bottles by scanning a QR code. Age verification is required via a photo ID upload before a transaction can be processed. The lockers offer optimal storage conditions with temperature-controlled compartments—typically set at 14°C for reds, and adjustable to 8 to 10°C for whites and sparkling wines. Units range in capacity from 60 to 1,000 bottles and can be installed in supermarkets, wine cellars, hotel forecourts, public squares or on roadsides.

According to Connexion France, authorisation from local mayors will be required before producers can install a machine, which can be automatically shut down in areas where alcohol sales are governed by time restrictions.

See more: ‘’It’s only the beginning’’: French Riviera town imposes early evening alcohol ban in select areas

Espace Drive, a subsidiary of the Altéor Group, first began designing automated vending systems for items such as cheese, charcuterie and fresh produce.

“We were approached by vineyards to see if we could do the same for wines,” Stéphany Bonnard, General Director of Altéor, is quoted by Connexion France. “Having a shop on-site requires hiring someone to manage it. This way, no one has to be on-site all the time.”

The project emerged in response to France’s Evin Law, which prohibits conventional drive-through alcohol sales.

“We had to find a workaround,” added Bonnard in her comments, before noting that Espace Drive’s in-house design team developed both the software and secure mechanisms required for compliance.

Unlike traditional points of sale, Cave O Vin units operate autonomously and are managed through a digital interface. Producers can monitor stock levels in real time, set up access parameters and offer a click-and-collect experience without being physically present.

“It’s a practical and premium solution for distributing bottles outside regular opening hours,” says a company spokesperson.

Some French winegrowers are already experimenting with the new system, which is based on a rental model that costs vineyards approximately €1,230 per month per machine.

Could this be the future of wine sales in France?

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Photo source: Cave O Vin

The 2025 edition of the Monaco Women’s Forum invited leading voices from the worlds of space science and technology to the Principality for a series of insightful talks on the future of space exploration, from issues linked to satellites and sustainability to the missions to Mars. 

On 21st March, Le Méridien Beach Plaza hosted the eighth edition of the Monaco Women’s Forum, an annual event held under the High Patronage of Princess Charlene of Monaco. The gathering brought together space pioneers and leading experts from around the world, including figures from the European Space Agency and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, for talks that delved into the realities and potential of space exploration through the lens of technology, climate change, cybersecurity, innovation and global cooperation.

“This year’s event demonstrated the growing importance of women in the space and technology sector, and laid the foundations for an essential debate on the responsible governance of space,” said Cinzia Sgambati-Colman, the founder and president of the Monaco Women’s Forum.

Among the highlights of the event, which Monaco Life attended as an audience member, was a session led by Sabrina Andiappane of Clear Space, who addressed the environmental impact of satellites after they re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere at the end of their lifespan.

“When satellites enter the atmosphere, they disintegrate, releasing toxic gases that contribute to climate change,” explained Andiappane. “Since they are not recovered, they also have a significant impact on marine life.”

She noted the acceleration of the issue as demand for the launch of satellites is growing at an ever-increasing rate – as is the need for a solution to this problem. During her talk, Andiappane introduced a number of potential solutions, from extending satellite lifespans to developing safer methods for the deorbiting process.

The role of AI in space exploration was another popular topic at the Monaco Women’s Forum, with Dr. Marco Rocchetto from Spaceflux noting, “AI is used every day in space to analyse vast amounts of data and transform them into simple outcomes that we can understand as humans. If we had to process manually all the information that satellites generate, we would not go very far.”

Machine learning and AI technologies, he explained, allow researchers to quickly gain insights needed for disaster recovery, climate change monitoring, weather predictions and numerous other applications.

The Journey to Mars

Perhaps the most intriguing segment of the forum came when Federica Vagnone, an engineering delivery manager at Thales Alenia Space, detailed the challenges involved in getting humans to Mars.

The current vision, Vagnone explained to Monaco Life, focuses on establishing a lunar base as a stepping stone for further exploration.

“The shortest trip to Mars requires six to nine months, and the launch window only opens every 26 months,” she noted. “The survival of the crew with respect to radiation exposure remains our biggest concern. Investment in better technology is essential, as crew safety forms the basis of human exploration.”

She also highlighted how significantly more advanced technology will be needed before any Mars mission can be launched.

“The motto of the International Space Station is ‘of the Earth, for the Earth’ – we are not just conducting research to see how things work in space, but also trying to understand how we can apply these discoveries to our everyday lives,” she concluded.

As the Monaco Women’s Forum 2025 demonstrated, the future of space exploration lies in the hands of innovative minds, collaborative efforts and a commitment to sustainable and responsible advancements that will shape the cosmos for generations to come.

Read related:

Monaco Women Forum 2025 takes on the final frontier with The New Space Race event

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok.  

Photo by Monaco Life