About
Watgrid is a Portuguese deep-tech company that develops IoT-based liquid monitoring solutions specifically designed for the wine and beverage industry, marketed under the WINEGRID brand. Its flagship product line includes Wineplus sensors — intelligent in-tank devices that continuously monitor key fermentation parameters such as temperature, density, and CO₂ in real time. The company also offers the e-bung, a connected bung for barrel monitoring during wine maturation, and the e-aphrom and e-charmat systems for tracking secondary fermentation under the Champagnoise and Charmat methods respectively. All sensor data feeds into a centralized cloud dashboard, giving winemakers instant visibility into production status across multiple tanks and barrels simultaneously. WINEGRID's technology is aimed at reducing human error, optimizing fermentation timing, and improving the consistency and quality of wine production at scale. The platform has earned recognition from the European Commission (Seal of Excellence), the MIT-ISCTE Smart Cities award, and CNOIV's Oenology distinction. Following its acquisition by Enartis, an Italian multinational with a presence in over 50 countries, WINEGRID's solutions are now accessible to a global network of wineries and oenology professionals. It is particularly suited for mid-to-large wineries seeking to digitize and automate their cellar monitoring workflows.
Key Features
- Real-Time Fermentation Monitoring: Wineplus sensors track temperature, density, and CO₂ inside tanks continuously, giving winemakers live data to optimize fermentation timing and quality.
- Barrel Maturation Tracking (e-bung): The connected e-bung device fits directly into wine barrels to monitor maturation conditions without disturbing the aging process.
- Secondary Fermentation Systems: Dedicated e-aphrom and e-charmat solutions monitor Champagnoise and Charmat method secondary fermentations with precision sensor data.
- Centralized Cloud Dashboard: All sensor data flows into a unified dashboard, enabling winemakers to oversee multiple tanks and barrels from a single interface.
- Scalable Multi-Winery Deployment: The platform supports large-scale deployments, with individual clients operating over 200 Wineplus sensors simultaneously across production facilities.
Use Cases
- Monitoring fermentation parameters in real time to optimize yeast activity and wine quality during primary fermentation
- Tracking barrel maturation conditions across dozens or hundreds of oak barrels to ensure consistency in aging
- Controlling secondary fermentation in sparkling wine production using Champagnoise or Charmat methods
- Replacing manual tank checks with automated IoT sensor data, reducing labor costs and human error in large wineries
- Generating production data and analytics to support quality control documentation and regulatory compliance
Pros
- Industry-Specific Design: Built exclusively for wine and beverage production, the sensors and software are optimized for real winery workflows and oenological requirements.
- Award-Winning & Globally Recognized: Backed by the European Commission Seal of Excellence and multiple international awards, WINEGRID has proven credibility in the industry.
- End-to-End Monitoring Suite: Covers the full winemaking lifecycle from primary fermentation through barrel maturation and secondary fermentation in a single platform.
Cons
- Hardware Dependency: The platform requires purchasing and installing physical IoT sensors, making it less accessible for very small producers or those with budget constraints.
- Niche Market Focus: Designed specifically for the wine and beverage sector, limiting its applicability to other liquid monitoring use cases or industries.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is WINEGRID and how does it relate to Watgrid?
WINEGRID is the product brand developed by Watgrid. Watgrid is the parent company that created the IoT monitoring technology, while WINEGRID is the commercial name used for its wine industry solutions. Watgrid was acquired by Enartis in 2024.
What types of wine processes can WINEGRID monitor?
WINEGRID monitors primary fermentation (via Wineplus sensors), barrel maturation (via e-bung), and secondary fermentations for both Champagnoise (e-aphrom) and Charmat (e-charmat) methods.
How does the WINEGRID dashboard work?
All IoT sensors transmit data wirelessly to a cloud-based dashboard, where winemakers can view real-time readings, historical trends, and alerts for all their tanks and barrels from any device.
Is WINEGRID suitable for small wineries?
WINEGRID is designed to scale from mid-sized producers to large industrial wineries. Small producers may find the hardware investment a barrier, but the system can be deployed with as few sensors as needed.
In which countries is WINEGRID available?
Following the acquisition by Enartis, WINEGRID's solutions are available through Enartis' distribution network in over 50 countries, including Portugal, Spain, the USA, and Australia.
