Since 2004, we have used a remote irrigation technology to monitor and control our vineyards and water tanks via the Internet. This technology, provided by Ranch Systems, provides granular level assessment through a range of sensors including soil moisture, water flow, relative humidity, wind speed, and direction, temperature, rain guage, etc. These measurements can also be combined to determine important related variables, such as dew point. All of this information is tracked in an enterprise-level database that allows us to run complex analyses, and track the interdependencies between factors through customizable graphs.

Given our remote off-grid location, we also use Ranch Systems automation capabilities that let us control when and how we irrigate either through rules that we set, or through sending an SMS through our cell phone or clicking real-time via the Internet. Without the hassle of programming or maintenance, we can closely manage our water usage and improve the yield and quality of our crops.