Irrigation comprises 70% of global freshwater use and is growing faster than any other water usage source. Combine that with the first megadrought (a drought that lasts at least 20 years) in the western US since the late 1500s, and the significance of that consumption gains critical importance. Wineries and vineyard owners facing these challenging conditions are altering their agricultural practices in response.
Devon Wright and co-founders of the Agtech startup Lumo, John Hinnegan and renowned water technology inventor, Henry Halimi, joined forces to develop a revolutionary solution to help growers protect this precious resource.
Lumo’s first-of-its-kind smart valve gives growers new tools to optimize water usage by going beyond timers to manage irrigation flow. It is the first valve to have a built-in controller, the first to have a built-in flow sensor with the option for users to add a pressure sensors, and the first to be fully wireless and internet-connected. The sensors detect water flow rate and pressure, signaling the valve to open and close when needed to meet volume goals set by the grower instead of relying on timers or manual intervention.
Since Lumo’s smart valve captures data from the sensors and the flow of water through the valve, a vineyard manager can monitor real-time irrigation activity without being onsite. As governmental regulations lock in more restrictions and reporting requirements, growers can instantly generate compliance reports with this usage data.
Water savings are dramatic because vineyard managers can tailor irrigation to each block or sub-block, giving them precision control over the amount of water applied. They can also monitor for system leaks or clogs without being onsite and set parameters to trigger Lumo alerts when flows exceed the limits so they can take immediate action. The combination of sensors and software saves grape growers labor costs because they eliminate the need to visit the vineyard in person to confirm that irrigation valves are performing correctly.
Wright, Lumo’s CEO, says, “We are dedicated to combating water scarcity by streamlining irrigation. The Lumo smart valve gives growers control over their irrigation systems and makes a positive impact on both their bottom line and the environment. The future of irrigation is here, and Lumo is leading the way.”
Wine grape growers participating in early-stage trials have reported 20-30% water savings, and Lumo already has buy-in from notable wine producers. Clos du Val, Bohème, Price Family and Pine Ridge Vineyards (a Crimson Group brand that recently earned International Wineries for Climate Action (IWCA) Silver Membership) have joined the early access program. Each will receive a portion of the 250 smart valves Lumo will manufacture in 2023 and a seat on Lumo’s Customer Advisory Board to help guide future direction. There are still a few seats left at that table for pioneering wineries. Interested parties should visit lumo.ag or email LetsGrow@lumo.ag.
Visit Lumo’s Booth #A2821 at the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium, January 25-26, 2023 to see smart valve prototypes and a demo of the irrigation management software.
Lumo
Unified Symposium Booth: A2821
Unified Symposium Exhibitor Guide
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Unified Wine & Grape Symposium trade show at the SAFE Credit Union Conventions Center in Sacramento on January 25-26, 2023.
