Alpine Valleys Vigneron Trailblazing Hyper-Local Forecasting with Jane's Weather

Alpine Valley Vignerons President Trailblazing Hyper-Local Forecasting in North East Victoria

The Alpine Valleys in North East Victoria are known for their stunning scenery, unique microclimates, and world-class wine production. It’s here that Stef Antonello, President of Alpine Valley Vignerons and owner of Antonello Vineyard, is now using Jane’s Weather PRO to unlock new levels of precision in vineyard management.

The region is famed for its cool climate wines, but with that comes a unique set of challenges - from frost risk and temperature swings to intense rain patterns. Thanks to a partnership between Jane’s Weather and TAFCO Rural Supplies, growers in the region like Stef now have access to hyper-local forecasts with TAFCO’s weather station network and Jane’s AI-driven forecasting technology.

‍

Managing a Microclimate Where Tap Water Freezes Mid-Flow

At Antonello Estate, nestled next to Mount Buffalo in Victoria’s Alpine Valleys, weather is no small matter. In the colder months, temperatures can drop so low that tap water freezes before it hits the ground. For vignerons like Stef, managing frost risk and optimising growing conditions is critical to protecting vines and ensuring high-quality yields.

“The accuracy of Jane’s Weather rain forecast has been impressive. Being able to confidently plan around frost risk is perfect for us in the Alpine Valleys. The microclimate here is so unique that traditional weather forecasts don’t cut it, but now we can have weather insights for our unique property, and it makes all the difference.”

‍

Hyper-Local Forecasting in the Alpine Valleys

The TAFCO weather station network, integrated with Jane’s Weather PRO, covers key locations across the region, including:

• Beechworth
• Coral Bank
• King Valley
• Myrtleford
• Porepunkah
• Rosewhite
• Whorouly

These Green Brain weather stations provide real-time observations that feed directly into Jane’s Weather’s AI forecasting model, ensuring growers receive forecasts tailored to their specific microclimates.

For Stef, this means he can now monitor frost risk, spray conditions, evapotranspiration (eTo), and rainfall patterns specific to his region.

“Knowing exactly when frost might hit or when it’s the perfect window for spraying is invaluable. We’re now looking for a weather station for our actual property, and we’ll integrate it with our Jane’s Weather PRO to get even more localised precision and accuracy.”

‍

Protecting Vines with Accurate Frost Risk Forecasting

Frost is one of the most significant challenges for vignerons in cool climate regions. At Antonello Estate, essential weather forecast tools are required for protecting vines, and knowing exactly when to make any necessary moves.

With Jane’s Weather’s frost alerts, Stef can take proactive steps to protect his crop, saving both time and resources. The platform’s hour-by-hour frost risk forecast is a critical tool in ensuring frost protection systems are deployed when absolutely necessary.

“In the past, we relied on general weather reports that weren’t specific enough or close enough to our location. Now, I get detailed frost risk and spray condition forecasts specific to our vineyard, to better plan and protect the vines,”

‍

Enhancing Vineyard Operations with Advanced Variables

Beyond frost forecasting, Jane’s Weather PRO offers a suite of advanced agricultural variables designed to help vignerons optimise their operations:

• Spray Conditions: Plan the perfect spray window with data on wind speed, Delta-T, humidity, and inversion risks.
• Growing Degree Days (GDD): Track crop growth stages and predict harvest timing with accuracy.
• Evapotranspiration (eTo): Manage irrigation schedules effectively, ensuring vines get the right amount of water at the right time.

The seamless integration of TAFCO’s weather station network with Jane’s Weather PRO provides Alpine Valley growers with the accuracy, tools and confidence they need to manage their vineyards and farms more efficiently and effectively.

‍

A New Era of Weather Forecasting for North East Victoria

The Jane’s Weather x TAFCO partnership represents a new era of precision forecasting for the Alpine Valleys. By leveraging local observations and AI-driven forecasts, growers now have access to hyper-local weather insights that were previously unavailable.

“Our region’s microclimates are incredibly diverse. Having accurate, site-specific weather forecasts means our growers can make informed decisions, reducing risk and improving productivity.”

Jane’s Weather: Designed for the Unique Needs of Winegrowers

As more businesses like Antonello Vineyard embrace Jane’s Weather PRO, the platform continues to evolve with feedback from growers across the country. Customer insights continuously help shape new features, ensuring the platform remains relevant and valuable.

“We love to see growers in the Alpine Valleys benefiting from our hyper-local weather forecast. Working with passionate farmers like Stef Antonello and weather station network providers like TAFCO helps us evolve to meet the specific needs of different regions and industries,” said Jane Bunn, CEO of Jane’s Weather.

‍

Discover the Jane’s Weather Advantage

Whether you’re managing a vineyard in the Alpine Valleys or farming in another part of Australia, Jane’s Weather PRO offers tailored, hyper-local forecasts to help you plan with precision.

Join growers like Stef Antonello in transforming the way you approach weather and sign up for Jane’s Weather PRO today.

‍