“We successfully automated almost every irrigation set last season,” said Andrew Oliver, Vineyard Manager at Antinori. “Lumo’s pump automation is an absolute game changer for our team,” agreed Hunter Emch, Northern Unit Area Manager at Redwood Empire Vineyard Management. REVM and Antinori are two early users of Lumo’s Pump Automation product, a powerful new integration with its smart valve platform that automates irrigation scheduling and execution from end to end. The solution has already been deployed at ranches ranging in size from 60 to 1,300 acres. Real-time, block-level flow and pressure data from Lumo smart valves is used to verify performance, dial in precision, and keep critical infrastructure safe. Over 150 ranches in Napa, Sonoma, the Central Coast, the Okanagan Valley and Washington State are already using Lumo’s precision irrigation system to close their execution gap, increase operational efficiency, and irrigate to plan. In July

Blended Technologies is excited to announce the appointment of Heather Crawford as its new Vice President of Growth.  Heather, a seasoned leader at the intersection of the wine industry and technology, most recently served as an operations, sales and marketing leader at Vintrace. Her career has been defined by integrating cutting-edge technological solutions within some of the world’s leading wineries, including Treasury Wine Estates, Far Niente and Wente Vineyards.  With her proven commercial track record, Heather will focus on scaling Blended’s market presence and commercial operations. She will work alongside the Blended team and report directly to CEO, Matt Witte.  "Heather’s deep expertise in business development will be pivotal as we accelerate our growth," said Matt Witte, founder of Blended. "She has been a leader in winery operations software for many years, and her insights have helped drive innovation across the industry. We&r

It’s generally believed that farmers are slow to adopt new technology. Yet, while this adage may be true for more expensive and untested innovations, when a new technology is practical, affordable and can prove its value and reliability, farmers will indeed set aside their innate caution and readily invest. Tyler Klick is a case in point. As the viticulturist and a co-owner of Redwood Empire Vineyard Management in Geyserville, CA, he decided to try an innovative smart irrigation technology developed by Lumo. Klick first installed Lumo smart valves on a few client vineyards last season. After seeing how they helped increase labor efficiency, reduce wasted water, and improve clients’ crop outcomes, he rolled it out to more than a dozen vineyards his company manages. “I’d love to get to a point where all of our clients have it installed,” says Klick. Lumo smart valves also help West Coast viticulturists adjust to changing weather patterns, which have brought

Afternoon Brief: Neil Empson, Pioneer of Fine Italian Wine in the US Market, Dies at 85

The EMPSON Companies announce the passing of their beloved Chairman and Co-Founder, Neil Trevanion Howard Empson, on Saturday, September 14, 2024. He was 85 years old...

Santa Rosa, Calif., August 27, 2024 – Lumo, the precision irrigation company that helps growers achieve and maintain precision irrigation quickly and efficiently, announced today the release of a new 4" smart valve. The new Lumo 4” valves are ideal for 5-20 acre blocks and come with the same great features as their 2” counterparts - they’re simple to install, easy to use, and more affordable than traditional systems that rely on hardwiring in solenoids and a complex patchwork of 3rd party tools.Over sixty vineyards in Napa, Sonoma, and the Central Coast, including some of the best growers in the world, are already using Lumo to irrigate their vines because it gives them 24/7 remote control of their irrigations, block-level visibility into their applied water volumes, and real-time alerts and support when things don’t go to plan. The new 4” valves are ideal for 5-20 acre blocks and come with the same great features as their 2” cou

Afternoon Brief, April 11th

The Sun Also Rises: Solectrac Shifts Business Model to Remain Relevant: Interim CEO Robin Mackie addresses rumors of the company’s demise...

Wente Vineyards Announces Debut of Baily Hill Pinot Noir  

The storied family winery unveils Baily Hill, a Central Coast Pinot Noir and one of the first two additions to the Wente Vineyards core portfolio in over a decade  LIVERMORE, […]

Wente Vineyards Unveils Mount Diablo Highlands Red Blend

Fresh off its 140th Anniversary Year, Wente Vineyards Debuts a New Addition to its Core Portfolio for the First Time in a Decade and Introduces New Portfolio Tier Names LIVERMORE VALLEY, […]

Lumo hasn’t been around all that long. In fact, the California-based, smart irrigation company was first launched by CEO and Founder Devon Wright and his team just two years ago. But within that very short time frame, Lumo’s cutting-edge water delivery system has captured the attention of the Northern Californian winegrowing community and truly shifted the way irrigation is done. Three Lumo One smart valves installed at a Jackson Family Wines vineyard in northern Sonoma County.  Last summer, Lumo put the industry’s first smart irrigation valve, Lumo One, into the hands and vineyards of some of California’s top grape growers, including; Treasury Wine Estates, Wente Vineyards, Clos Du Val, Spottswoode Winery, REVM, Boheme Wines, Price Family Vineyards & Estates, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars and Pine Ridge Vineyards. Now, after one full growing season, users are reporting groundbreaking results. “Lumo valves have the potential to unite my wate