How do you layout a vineyard?

The optimum orientation of vineyard rows is north to south in order to maximize sunlight exposure on both the east and west sides of the canopy. However, other row orientations can be productive and are capable of producing high quality fruit and wine.

How many acres do you need for a small vineyard?

If you hope to establish a profitable business, the minimum size you need is 5 acres. And that’s if you’re selling your wine direct to the consumer. If you aim to sell to the wholesale market, you’ll need at least 10 acres to make it profitable, but ideally more to achieve economies of scale.

Which direction should a vineyard face?

Grapevines need sun to produce and ripen quality fruit. The more sun they get, the better the end result. Planting grapes in rows that face north and south allows better access to the sun than planting them with an east-west orientation, advises Oregon State University Extension.

How much space do grape vines need?

Grapes are woody perennial vines. Plant in full sun to provide the heat required to ripen the fruit. Each vine needs about 6 feet of space.

Can I grow wine grapes in my backyard?

Grapes will do well anywhere they can get sun, water and support – you can even grow them on a fence row. Just remember that the vines will most likely outlive the fence!

Which direction should I plant grape vines?

Grape rows are ideally oriented in a north-south direction for maximum sunlight interception. However, slope may dictate a different row orientation to avoid operating equipment across slope or in cases where rows running down slope would lead to severe soil erosion.

How far apart should you space grape vines?

Before planting grapevines, soak their roots in water for two or three hours. Space vines 6 to 10 feet apart (16 feet for muscadines). For each vine, dig a planting hole 12 inches deep and 12 inches wide.

How much wine does 1 acre of grapes produce?

So 1 ton of grapes yields about 60 cases, or 720 bottles. A low-yielding 1-acre vineyard that yields 2 tons of grapes makes about 120 cases, or 1,440 bottles, while an acre that yields 10 tons produces about 600 cases, or 7,200 bottles.

How much is an acre of wine grapes worth?

So, for a typical Sonoma County red wine grape variety, if you figure $2,200 a ton and 5 tons to the acre you should get about $11,000 an acre in revenue. Take away our average of $5,000 in costs + $150 per acre for harvest and you get $5,850 per acre in net income.

What is the average size of a vineyard?

In comparison, looking at the other side of the Atlantic, in California, where most of the US grapes are grown, in 2012, an average size per vineyard farm was 82 acres (33 ha), with variation among regions.

How much space do you need between grape vines?

about 6 feet
Grapes are woody perennial vines. Plant in full sun to provide the heat required to ripen the fruit. Each vine needs about 6 feet of space. Flowers and fruit develop on new shoots called canes.