Donghae Aqua, also known as Donghae Aquarium, introduced its smart vinegar fermentation system, VINE7, at SEOUL FOOD 2026, one of Asia’s largest food industry exhibitions, held at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, from June 9 to 12.

VINE7 was jointly developed by fermentation researcher and inventor Kwon Oh-tae, who has dedicated more than 20 years to fermentation research, and Lee Chang-woo, CEO of Donghae Aqua and a recognized Korean specialist in Venturi technology.

From a Miner’s Dream in Germany to an Agricultural Innovation

As a young man, Kwon moved to Germany, where he worked in the mining industry and gained firsthand exposure to advanced industrial technologies and European fermentation traditions. Inspired by these experiences, he began exploring ways to combine traditional Korean fermentation methods with scientific process control.

After returning to Korea, Kwon settled in a rural mountain village, where he continued his research into fermented foods and agricultural products. His work attracted public attention through a nationally broadcast television documentary that highlighted both his inventive lifestyle and his fermentation studies using a variety of agricultural ingredients, including mandarin melon berries, persimmons, and Aralia elata shoots.

“Many high-quality agricultural products are unable to secure fair market prices and are often discarded,” Kwon said. “I wanted to develop a practical technology that could help farmers create greater value from their harvests.”

That vision ultimately led to the development of VINE7.

Accelerating Natural Fermentation Through Smart Process Control

Traditional vinegar fermentation typically requires extensive production space and can take a year or longer to complete. Product consistency can also vary due to seasonal changes and fluctuations in temperature, oxygen supply, and microbial activity.

To address these challenges, Kwon collaborated with Lee to develop a system that maintains the principles of natural fermentation while scientifically controlling critical fermentation parameters, including temperature, aeration, and microbial growth conditions. The technology incorporates patented process innovations developed through years of research and field testing.

The result is VINE7, a smart fermentation platform capable of producing vinegar from a wide range of agricultural products in approximately seven days while maintaining consistent product quality.

With a production capacity of 200 liters per batch, the system is designed for use by farms, agricultural cooperatives, food processors, and small-scale entrepreneurs.

Creating New Value for Agricultural Products

Beyond vinegar production, VINE7 is positioned as a value-added agricultural processing platform. The system enables local specialties—including apples, grapes, persimmons, black raspberries, plums, mandarin melon berries, and ginseng—to be transformed into premium vinegar products with higher market value.

The technology also offers farmers an alternative outlet for surplus, non-standard, or difficult-to-market produce, helping reduce waste while creating additional revenue opportunities.

“I have long been concerned about the amount of agricultural produce that goes unused despite the hard work invested by farmers,” Kwon said. “My goal was to create a system that allows anyone to produce and market high-quality vinegar more easily.”

Industry professionals who participated in product evaluations during the development process described VINE7 as a highly innovative fermentation solution with strong commercial potential.

VINE7 vinegar fermentation system

Expanding Opportunities for Farmers Worldwide

 Donghae Aqua believes VINE7 has significant potential not only in Korea but also in international agricultural markets.
As climate change, supply chain disruptions, and agricultural price volatility continue to challenge farmers worldwide, value-added processing technologies are becoming increasingly important for improving farm profitability and sustainability.

 VINE7 can be deployed in a broad range of environments, from large-scale food manufacturing facilities to small farms, agricultural cooperatives, farming corporations, and regional processing centers.

 The company also sees potential applications in developing countries where agricultural storage and preservation infrastructure remains limited. Because the system requires only a stable electricity supply, it may provide rural communities with a practical means of extending product shelf life and generating additional income through agricultural processing.

 Debut at SEOUL FOOD 2026

 VINE7 made its first public appearance in the agricultural machinery section of SEOUL FOOD 2026, which opened on June 9 at KINTEX.

 Lee Chang-woo, CEO of Donghae Aqua, stated, “By combining the wisdom of traditional fermentation with modern scientific technology, we have developed a system that makes high-quality vinegar production more accessible and efficient.”

 He added, “Beginning with SEOUL FOOD 2026, we hope this fermentation technology developed in Korea will contribute to creating new opportunities for farmers and agricultural businesses around the world.”