Nov. 2, 2006 — Grape Networks Inc., a San Ramon, Calif., developer of MEMS sensors and mesh networks for monitoring vineyards, announced that production systems for the monitoring of micro-climates for vineyards will be available in the first quarter of 2007. The Company also announced the expansion of its current system at Beringer Vineyards in Napa Valley.

The Climate Genie from Grape Networks consists of small battery powered nodes, often referred to as motes, to improve the yield and quality of crops. The Climate Genie wirelessly transmits temperature, humidity, and light information between each mote, with built-in radios, for monitoring anywhere in the world via the Internet. These motes/routers form a wireless mesh network with up to thousands of individual motes that are 10 to 300 meters apart. Each mote can sense a few simple things, such as temperature, moisture, light, or other physical qualities but as an aggregate gathers data about the quality and vitality of the grapes in the vineyard.