How to Plant a Wine Vineyard

Get a handle on the operation you are about to undertake prior to planting your vineyard. Determine your level of personal investment and commitment to establishing this vineyard--whether this will be a large scale business, a side hobby, etc.-- and marshal your resources to the specified goals. Put together a business plan and figure on the style of wine you will produce and the market you are targeting.

Determine how much you will need to plant for the volume of wine you intend to produce. Factor in your location and the typical cost of producing the particular wine type in your region. Estimate that one acre of land will give you about 1,500 standard-size bottles of wine.

Do soil tests. Make sure the soil is appropriate to the type of wine grapes you wish to produce. Gather regional climate data, local vegetation information and understand how altitude, frost or flooding could affect your vines. Take into consideration the slope of your property and the angle at which the sun will hit your plantings; be aware of where the sun rises and sets on your vineyard. Make extra provisions for any balconies you may need to install on especially steep slopes.

Note any hazards in the area, such as pests and trees, neighbor issues, airborne pollutants and other factors that could affect your vineyard. Do this well in advance of selecting the site. Learn of the zoning restrictions in the area.

Find any number of suitable wine-grape rootstocks to plant: these could be frost-resistant, or selected for a particular desirable characteristic. Match the rootstock to the soil, as determined by the soil tests. Hire a plant consultant to help you narrow down your choices and get your vines delivered by your selected nursery.

Prepare your vineyard with regard to the contours of the land, vine density and spacing. Determine what kind of fuel supply and irrigation system you will use, whether drip irrigation will be necessary, and any trellis system you will implement. Prepare the soil and inspect the vines for quality prior to planting. If planting by hand, avail yourself of shovels and augers, and determine the depth and soil condition you need; if using a machine, make use of tree or laser planters. Train vines, control weeds, disease and pests; tend to vine nutrition. Know what to expect of the crop in the first and successive years.

Take viticultural and horticultural classes to supplement and build on your knowledge as a wine grower. Join industry associations. Attend workshops that will keep you up to date on new technologies in vineyard practices.