Using AI-powered scanning, the program makes virus detection and mapping faster and more affordable, enabling growers to safeguard vineyard health.
September 17, 2025 (Napa Valley, CA) — Scout, the pioneer in AI-powered precision viticulture, announced the AVA Neighborhood Watch: Vineyard Health Program, a collaborative effort uniting growers across Napa Valley and Sonoma’s Moon Mountain District to strengthen vineyard health and resilience.
Alongside the program, Scout is opening Scout VIA, its viticulture-trained Vineyard AI Assistant, to every grower—customer or not. VIA provides specialized, context-rich guidance through a chat-based interface, helping growers translate research and best practices into actionable field decisions. Scout VIA has curated a library of publicly available research notes, best practices, field guide from leading.
The Problem
Red Blotch and related red-leaf viruses remain one of the most damaging threats to vineyards. These diseases compromise vine health, reduce fruit quality, and shorten vineyard life, often forcing costly replanting. Across leading wine regions, growers have already lost significant acreage, with more at risk each season.
Expert Guidance
Researchers and viticulture experts consistently point to four actions as the foundation of a vineyard health strategy to proactively combat virus spread:
- Virus Mapping to track and contain infection hotspots.
- Testing Strategies to map and test both symptomatic and asymptomatic vines using LAMP, PCR to assess risk.
- Quantitative Risk Management to measure symptomatic spread and guide decisions.
- Rouging Strategies to remove infected vines before further spread.
The Scout Solution
The AVA Neighborhood Watch Program makes this strategy practical and accessible at scale. At its core, Scout’s AI-powered vineyard intelligence combines ground-level imaging, vine- level mapping, and guided mobile diagnostics to move growers from detection to action.
- Mobile First: Scout uses a smartphone and works with any tractor or ATV, no proprietary hardware needed.
- AI Vineyard Assistant: Scout VIA delivers specialized, context-rich guidance through a simple, chat-based interface, helping growers quickly translate red leaf research and best practices into actionable field decisions.
- Dual-Purpose Scans: detect red-leaf symptoms while also generating data for vineyard planning and budgeting.
- Comprehensive reporting: photo-rich reports with precise locations of symptomatic vines.
- Digital Health Record: Create a “system of record” for symptoms, test results, and actions.
- Secure Operational Framework: Protects private data ownership with optional neighborhood collaboration.
- Special to the Neighborhood Watch: Discounted group rates to lower costs and expand access.
Why It Matters
By increasing participation across Napa Valley and Sonoma, the program strengthens collective protection and safeguards the long-term value of future vintages.
“Neighborhood Watch is about being a good neighbor and an even better steward,” said Kia Behnia, co-founder & CEO of Scout. “As someone who has battled red blotch in my own vineyard, I’ve seen neighbors forced to replant. This program ensures growers can protect their vines before it’s too late. By giving our community early detection and a simple path to interventions, we’re protecting vineyard health today and safeguarding future vintages.”
“We built this program with vineyard teams across multiple AVAs,” said Mason Earles, CTO of Scout. “Grounded in two years of field research, it provides a systems approach that connects data, diagnostics, and decision-making into one practical solution—delivering value both in the short term and for the long run.”
Availability & Enrollment
The AVA Neighborhood Watch—Vineyard Health Program is open to growers and vineyard management companies across Napa Valley AVAs and Sonoma’s Moon Mountain District. Interested participants can sign up for scanning windows and guided onboarding through Scout.
- Learn more / enroll: Scout AVA Neighborhood Watch Program
- Try the assistant: Scout VIA
About Scout
Scout is a pioneer in AI-powered agricultural intelligence, advancing how growers, researchers, and operators manage performance and productivity. An analytics platform built for precision viticulture and developed alongside industry experts, Scout delivers vine-by-vine insights into health, growth, and yield potential.
From detecting virus symptoms to measuring canopy and fruit performance to forecasting yields, Scout equips vineyard teams with actionable intelligence to extend vineyard lifespan, improve operational efficiency, and strengthen financial performance. Scout delivers precision, performance, productivity, and profitability—vine by vine. Learn more at agscout.ai.
