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GRAPE GRO WING Weatherlink software for analysis and monitoring by the IPM module. "Every year we have more and more insects and invasive species with people bringing them in; this year two of our outbreaks were from nurseries," Valente said of the continuing battle. Another Davis system for IPM is at La Bella Rosa, a boutique winery in the Sierra. Its IPM for Grapes software identi- fied a pest attacking the leaves, allowing the grower to take corrective action, treat leafhoppers and save the 2011 crop. Monitoring a mountaintop vineyard Peter Molnar, general manager and partner at the 105-acre Obsidian Ridge Vineyards in the Red Hills of Lake County, Calif., uses a Ranch Systems weather station to moni- tor the weather at the diverse property. "Obsidian Ridge is planted at 2,700 feet on the Mayacamas Ridge," Molnar said. "This presents a triple challenge of extreme environmental variability, rug- ged terrain and remote location. Ranch Systems' durable wireless nodes and user-friendly analysis software provide an effective and affordable way for us to monitor a range of climate factors all the way down to block level. Furthermore, COMPANY Weather Monitoring System Suppliers PHONE Advanced Viticulture Inc. Davis Instruments Nielsen-Kellerman Picovale Services Inc. Ranch Systems LLC Spectrum Technologies Inc. Terra Spase Inc. WEBSITE (707) 838-3805 advancedvit.com (510) 732-9229 davisnet.com (610) 447-1555 nkhome.com (530) 889-8845 picovale.com (415) 884-2770 ranchsystems.com (800) 248-8873 specmeters.com (707) 967-8325 terraspase.com For more on weather monitoring sytem suppliers, see Wines & Vines' 2012 Buyer's Guide in print or online at winesandvinesbuyersguide.com. the Internet component means that the vineyard managers, winemaking team and consultants all have shared access to the real-time data wherever they are, greatly improving daily decision making." Molnar continued, "In our 10 zones we have over 35 wireless nodes measuring humidity, temperature, wind speed, rainfall, dew point, soil moisture, UV radiation and irrigation water flows. We access all this data and view graphical charts in real time via the Internet and can quickly create cus- tom historical comparisons and drill downs. We now adjust watering, canopy manage- ment and harvest sampling much more quickly based on daily climate analysis— not easy in such a remote location. Plus, in the winter the system acts as a 35-point frost alarm system, which with the radi- cal morphology of our site is a huge help; the systems sends alarms to the complete vineyard team's cell phones 24/7." He added, "Finally, we can use all this information not only for decision-making during the season, but also later on to look for hidden relationships between vineyard factors and wine quality, ultimately letting us grow and make ever-better wine." Napa Valley-based Beckstoffer Vineyards uses the weather system to control irriga- tion remotely. Vineyard manager Gaspar Roby said, "After testing Ranch Systems on www.tenaxus.com Bird Netting Environmentally - friendly alternatives to chemicals and other ineffective methods, available in a variety of sizes and mesh openings. IPM for Grapes: Your Pest Management Solution Davis' Integrated Pest Management for Grapes software links your weather data to actual pest risk, helping you to prevent crop damage before it starts. Used together with our Vantage Pro2™ Weather Station, a Wireless Leaf & Moisture/Temperature Station and Weatherlink® software, Davis Instruments offers you a complete solution for crop management. For more information, please call 800-678-3669. WAV1212 800-678-3669 www.davisnet.com Ground Protection Green solutions for preventing wheel rutting and creating temporary parking areas! Deer Fence Long-lasting effective predator control solutions that do not obstruct the landscape! Jane Fridley de Bigit p. 651.414.9498 | jdebigit@tenax.com WINES & VINES DECEMBER 2012 43