Vineyard Establishment ---Vineyard Design---

1. Vineyard Establishment---Vineyard Design---

2. Introduction • The vineyard plan is a best compromise that integrates key aspects of the following characteristics; • Topography • Surface water and airflow • Soil and variety characteristics • Vine capacity • Vineyard design • Irrigation design • Efficient vineyard management

3. Stages of developing a vineyard design: • Determine surface water plan • Define block areas between drainage lines of similar soil types and readily available water (RAW) scores • Create a block and row design that is efficient, practical and viticulturally sound • Define a road access system around the vineyard • Allocate varieties to appropriate blocks • Vineyard layout and preparation

4. Surface water and airflow • Water will always flow to the lowest point, by the most direct route • Soil erosion increased by soil velocity (not volume) • Intense water run-off needs to be controlled • Air drainage just as important • Cold air sinks to the lowest point like water • Frost risk • Good airflow also important to prevent humidity build-up in summer

5. Surface water and airflow • Firstly, define natural waterways • Isolate them from development • Avoid depressions in the vineyard • Water will collect and damage vines • Trellis wires difficult to tension across a depression • Best idea for planting slopes is 1-3% grade • Provides drainage for water and air • Avoids machinery difficulties seen with steeper slopes • Plant grass in the inter-row areas • If vineyards are set up correctly, erosion is rare

7. Block areas and row orientation • Blocks need to be defined on the basis of soil type and RAW to reduce variability • Soil available water should not vary by more than 10mm within a block • If so, then separate irrigation • Frost risk? (Spring and Autumn) • Largely, row orientation depends on; • Region • Cultivar • End product

8. Block areas and row orientation • However; • While N/S rows generally recommended, • Works in cool climates (<20°C MTWM) • For warmer regions, move toward E/W • Avoid severe heat stress in the afternoon, esp. white fruit • Wind – ‘double edged sword’ • Cause damage and increase ET, yet reduce frost risk and dry vineyard • Trellis choice, and foliage wire placement critical • Row length – long as possible (to a point....) • 300-400m efficient – less turning and #end assemblies • 500-600m are best on flat land with big strainers • Central water sub-mains best up to 200m each way

9. Road access and headlands • Ensure ‘all-weather’ access to vineyard • Gravel is best for roads and headlands (cost trade off) • Roads MUST be well drained to avoid standing water • Significantly damage roads very quickly • Headlands must be at least 9-12 meters wide • Longer machinery • Tie-Back systems? • Obstacles requiring additional space? • Headlands must also fit with block layout • Rows and intermediates and plants need to line up in “the matrix”

17. Allocating varieties to blocks • Vital decision! • Budburst and ripening • Frost prone areas best for late burst and early ripening • Although variety must be chosen first on region, good design can minimise damage • Aspect • Cooler delicate varieties (PNN) grown in cooler southern parts • Heat loving varieties best grown with more of a western aspect

18. Allocating varieties to blocks • Row orientation • Use E/W for delicate varieties in warmer climates • Use N/S for robust varieties in cooler climates • Soil type and RAW • Vigorous (SYR/RRI)best in low fertility soil • In hot areas higher fertility is possible (water control)

21. Block and row design • Includes a multitude of factors • All can severely impact (+/-) vine capacity • All of these must be considered and managed for optimum yield and quality • Row spacing and trellis design – trade-off • Want: large # well spaced shoots • Narrow single trellis – wide divided canopy • Higher capacity vines, plant further apart! • Close planted vines achieve extra early yield – expensive • Wider spaced vines catch up quickly – less expensive • Ensure intermediates are no more than 6-7m apart • Wire sag can be a major problem

22. Block and row design • Block size and shape • Rectangles are preferred • Rows ending in hard angles are difficult • Irrigation zones need to be <6 ha to avoid expensive piping systems • Generally larger blocks are more economical • To a point!

23. Vineyard irrigation • Vineyard planning also requires an irrigation system designer and the following information is essential; • Water needs per year • Peak water requirement per week • Dripper spacing and output

24. Vineyard irrigation • Water resources • Water needs can be calculated using historical weather information and soil / ET data • Vines in hot arid regions can use 5-6 ML / ha / year • While as low as 1 ML / ha / year in cooler areas • Ensure that water resource consent is available, and legally “water-tight” so you have water when required • The bore should be drilled down to account for changing water levels

25. Vineyard irrigation • Peak volume requirements • Resource consents require vineyards volume restrictions • Often hourly rate rather than weekly volume • Difficulties? • Normal vine spacing return peak water demand values of 100-180 L/vine/week • At least 20 hours of irrigation/week required • 4-5 shifts per week • Attempt also cheaper off-peak electricity

26. Vineyard irrigation • Irrigation system design • Drip, overhead, furrow irrigation? • Mains, sub-mains, risers, under-vine tubing • 6 ha maximum size for economy (fluid flow....) • Similar block sizes – for pump efficiency • Or reducing size blocks further from pump – headloss • Easy access to maintain valves and submains • Pressure compensating drippers required if not completely flat • Design should be able to deliver water in 60% of time ($) • Include soil type, water distribution for dripper spacing

27. Vineyard irrigation • System components • Sufficient and quality water filtration – disk filter at bore • Failsafe final filtration – screen filters at pump • Fertigation • Controller – multi-channel system to control water use • Control valves – solenoid valve per block • System control – now modern internet / pc systems

28. Windbreaks • Can be useful on exposed sites • However, protection is only up to 12 times the height • Shade • Utilisation of valuable vineyard land • Prevailing wind may be seasonal • BIRDS! • If using windbreaks go deciduous – poplar best • Care – root competition • Ensure wind filtering rather than dense barrier • Turbulence!

29. Vineyard operation • Operational factors consume >10% of usable vineyard area • More in undulating situations • More when vineyard designed incorrectly • Need to be minimised for efficiency and productivity

30. Vineyard operation • Works area – the final stage – heart of the operation • Managers office • Staff amenities room • Toilets and change rooms • Machinery sheds • Workshop • Chemical store • Waste sump • Filling station • Wash down area • Parking • Truck loading area • Easy access – roads and blocks

31. Vineyard operation • Other considerations • Electricity • Running water • Water heating • Internet • Safety compliance stations • Storage • Staff accommodation?

32. Next Topic........ • Vineyard Preparation