Introduction
For winemakers, ensuring the health of your grapevines is paramount.
Grape vine netting is not just an accessory; it’s a crucial tool in protecting your vineyard from a host of threats, ranging from bird damage to weather-related risks.
These threats can significantly reduce yield and negatively impact grape quality, affecting the wine’s quantity and flavor profile.
Whether you’re managing a small boutique vineyard or a larger winery, understanding how to utilize netting effectively can significantly improve your yield and wine quality.
This guide will help you choose the best grapevine nets for your winery.
Why Grape Vine Netting is Crucial for Your Vineyard
Grape vine netting, also known as vineyard netting, plays a vital role in safeguarding your vineyard. It protects your grapes from birds, insects, and harsh weather conditions.
Without proper protection, factors such as birds, insects, and harsh weather can significantly reduce yields and impact the quality of wine.
By using netting, you ensure that your grapes reach optimal ripeness and are free from damage, leading to a successful harvest and high-quality wine.
Additionally, using specialized photoselected nets, such as red vineyard netting, can enhance the aromatic profile of your wine by influencing grape skin exposure to light, which boosts phenolic compounds and contributes to more decadent wine flavors.
3 Types of Vineyard Netting Available
Choosing suitable grapevine netting depends on various factors, such as your vineyard’s size (e.g., small boutique vineyard or sizeable commercial operation), local wildlife threats (e.g., birds or deer), and overall budget.
Here are the most common 3 types of vineyard netting:
Vineyard Drape Netting
Also known as vineyard over row netting, this type of netting is installed directly over one to three rows of grapevines, depending on the vineyard’s setup. It provides adequate protection from birds and hail while allowing sunlight to penetrate, which is crucial for grape development as it ensures proper sugar accumulation and optimal ripening.
Applying and removing it may require careful handling to avoid tangling with leaves and vines.
Using specialized tools like netting applicators can help minimize these issues and make the process smoother.
However, the benefits of comprehensive coverage often outweigh these challenges, particularly for vineyards seeking reliable seasonal protection.
In the United States, the vineyard drape net is a traditionally used netting. Depending on its width, it covers one or multiple rows of grapevines.
Vineyard Side Netting
Also called vineyard zone netting, this type covers both sides of a single row of vines, providing comprehensive protection against birds while allowing easy access for maintenance.
Focusing specifically on the fruiting zone ensures that the most vulnerable parts of the vine are well-protected. Covering two sides provides targeted protection where it is needed most.
It is also easier to apply and remove, saving up to 30% of labor time compared to traditional netting methods. This netting type is primarily used along the sides of the vines to protect against bird damage.
Vineyard side netting is gaining popularity, especially in regions like Australia and New Zealand, thanks to its straightforward installation process and the ability to leave it in place year-round, which helps reduce labor costs by up to 25%.
Vineyard Overhead Netting
Also called vineyard canopy, Overhead netting covers the entire vineyard, protecting birds, insects, and adverse weather like hail.
At Sun Valley Vineyard, overhead netting reduced bird damage by 50% and minimized hail damage, resulting in higher yields.
This type of netting is ideal for vineyards in regions with severe weather. It offers complete coverage and minimizes crop loss. It also allows easy access for maintenance tasks like mowing and harvesting, saving time and reducing labor costs.
Overhead netting is durable and can last many years with minimal maintenance, making it a worthwhile long-term investment.
While the initial installation can be costly due to the need for permanent supports, the long-term savings—such as up to 40% on maintenance costs over 5 to 10 years—often justify the investment, especially for vineyards seeking reliable, year-round protection.
Selecting the appropriate netting is crucial to ensuring that your grapes are shielded from damage. This can result in increased yields of up to 30%, reduced losses by 40%, and ultimately higher profitability for your vineyard.
See your vineyard flourish, with each grape ripening to perfection, safeguarded by the best netting solution tailored to your needs.
With the right netting in place, you can focus on what truly matters: reducing labor efforts, maximizing grape quality, producing exceptional wine, and growing your business confidently.
Related stories
At Green Valley Winery in Southern Australia, John’s vineyard manager faced significant bird damage every year, losing nearly 45% of his harvest to persistent flocks.
In 2022, John decided to invest in high-quality bird netting from EyouAgro. By the end of the season, he saw a remarkable 40% reduction in bird damage, which led to a 25% increase in harvest yield.
The extra grapes allowed John to produce 20% more wine, and the boosted profits helped him reinvest in better equipment for his vineyard, leading to an increase in efficiency by 15%.
Real-life experiences like John’s highlight the benefits of using effective netting solutions, making it easier for others to trust and follow this advice.
Investing in quality netting today allows you to take the first step in safeguarding your vineyard and experience the benefits for yourself.
5 Key Benefits of Grape Vine Netting
Grape vine netting offers numerous advantages to vineyard owners, providing effective protection and improving overall vineyard management.
Below are some of the key benefits:
Protection from Birds
Birds are particularly attracted to grapes during veraison when the fruit accumulates sugar and color. Netting provides a reliable barrier, preventing birds from damaging the crop at this critical stage.
Protection from Pests and Insects
Netting is an effective barrier against birds, insects, and other pests that can damage grape crops.
This helps maintain both the quality and quantity of the yield, providing essential protection during critical growth periods.
Additionally, netting can help limit bees’ access, minimizing the risk of grape splitting without disrupting pollination efforts early in the season.
Chemical-Free Solution
Unlike chemical deterrents or noise-based methods, netting offers a physical barrier that keeps pests out without introducing harmful substances into the environment.
This makes it a sustainable choice for vineyards aiming for eco-friendly practices.
Cost Efficiency
Although the initial installation cost might be high, netting can lead to substantial savings by reducing losses due to pest damage over time, making it a cost-effective solution in the long run.
Labor Efficiency
Once installed, netting helps save labor time during the growing and harvest seasons by minimizing the need for constant monitoring and intervention to protect against bird damage.
Overall, grapevine netting is an essential investment for vineyard owners seeking to protect their crops, improve yield quality, and adopt sustainable practices.
How to Choose the Right Netting for Your Winery
Choosing the right vineyard netting is crucial for protecting your vines, improving yield, and ensuring high-quality wine.
When selecting vineyard netting, consider the following factors to ensure the best choice for your vineyard’s specific needs:
Installation Type
The type of installation—drape, side, or overhead netting—should match your budget, labor capacity, and the level of protection you need.
Below is a brief comparison of each type to help you decide:
| Pros | Cons | |
|---|---|---|
| Drape Netting | Economical, good coverage | Requires frequent adjustments, cumbersome to install |
| Side Netting | Easy to handle, targeted protection, reduces labor time by up to 30% | May need additional support for stability |
| Overhead Netting | Comprehensive protection, minimizes labor during maintenance | Higher cost, complex installation |
Drape netting is economical but may require more frequent adjustments, while overhead netting offers comprehensive protection at a higher cost.
Side netting, on the other hand, is easier to handle and provides targeted protection for the fruiting zone.
Material Quality
Opt for netting made from UV-resistant materials that can endure prolonged exposure to sunlight and other environmental elements. UV-resistance is crucial as it directly affects the lifespan of the netting, ensuring year-round protection and longevity over multiple growing seasons.
High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is a widely recommended material because of its durability.
This ensures that the netting remains effective over multiple growing seasons.
Compared to polypropylene, HDPE offers superior UV resistance and tensile strength, making it more reliable for long-term vineyard use.
Color and Sunlight Needs
The color of the netting regulates sunlight exposure for your grapes, which is crucial for photosynthesis and proper grape development. This ultimately affects sugar levels and flavor complexity in the wine.
- Light-colored netting, such as white or clear, allows for more sunlight penetration, which is beneficial in cooler climates.
- In contrast, darker netting provides additional shade, which can be helpful in hot climates where excessive sunlight might harm grape development.
Mesh Type & Size
The size of the netting’s mesh openings is crucial for balancing protection and growth.
Selecting the right mesh size depends on the specific threats to your vineyard:
Anti Bird damage
For vineyards dealing with bird damage, diamond mesh 15x15mm is recommended.
Compared to other mesh types like square or triangle mesh, diamond mesh provides superior strength and coverage, making it particularly effective against bird damage while still maintaining good airflow and light penetration.
This mesh size effectively keeps out larger birds like starlings and sparrows, protecting the grapes from bird pecking while allowing ample sunlight and air circulation.
Diamond mesh is trendy because its structure adds durability and strength, making it suitable for long-term use in areas with high bird pressure.
This durability leads to cost savings over time, as the mesh can withstand multiple growing seasons, reducing the need for frequent replacements and providing a more economical choice for vineyard owners.
Additionally, diamond mesh can be opened and expanded to cover widths of 20-24 meters, reducing the number of nettings required and thereby cutting down on installation labor and time, which is particularly beneficial for larger vineyard setups that need extensive coverage with minimal effort.
Anti-bee or Japanese beetles
For vineyards facing issues with smaller pests like bees or Japanese beetles, both rectangle and triangle mesh can be used:
- Rectangle Mesh: Provides good protection and is effective for moderate insect pressure, offering a balance between cost and pest control.
- Triangle Mesh:
This type of mesh is recommended for its thicker monofilaments and greater robustness, which improve wear resistance and pest prevention.
Triangle mesh (size 2×8/2mm) has twice the tensile strength of rectangle mesh, making it more durable and reliable.
This increased strength reduces the need for replacements and lowers maintenance costs.
Triangle mesh is particularly effective during the ripening period, preventing pests while maintaining airflow to avoid fungal growth and support grape health.
Overall, triangle mesh is the preferred choice for vineyard owners who prioritize both pest control and long-term durability.
Installation and Removal
Installing and removing netting can be labor-intensive, especially in large vineyards, but using specialized tools can save up to 50% of labor time.
Using specialized tools, such as net applicators like the NetMaster Pro, can simplify the process and reduce labor costs by up to 50%, providing an effective solution for large vineyards. This efficiency is crucial for timely deployment and removal of netting, ensuring vineyard operations continue smoothly without disruption.
Wildlife Safety
Ensuring that nets are properly secured above the ground helps minimize risks to local wildlife, such as birds and small mammals, which are commonly at risk of entanglement.
Additionally, the color of the netting can influence insect behavior, which may impact grape quality.
For instance, light-colored nets can deter certain insects, while darker nets can also help maintain grape health by reducing excessive sunlight exposure.
When carefully considered, these factors can help you select the most effective netting solution for your winery. Balancing protection, cost, and ease of use ensures a successful harvest.
6 Installation Tips for Effective Vineyard Protection
Proper installation is key to maximizing the effectiveness of grape vine netting.
To get the most out of it, consider these practical installation tips:
Seasonal Timing
Timing is crucial; installing netting too early can lead to unnecessary maintenance costs, while installing it too late may result in increased pest damage and missed protection during critical growth stages.
The ideal time to install netting is after pollination but before grapes begin to ripen.
| Hemisphere | Ideal Netting Installation Time |
|---|---|
| Northern Hemisphere: USA, EUROPE | May to June |
| Southern Hemisphere：AU,NZ,CL | November to December |
Proper timing ensures that your grapes are well-protected during their most vulnerable stage, maximizing yield and quality.
Proper Installation Techniques
Securing the netting properly is vital to prevent it from becoming a hazard for wildlife.
Loose netting can create safety issues, so it should be kept off the ground and fastened securely at both ends to prevent entanglement and ensure maximum effectiveness.
Bird Behavior Awareness
Understanding local bird activity is key to deciding on the best netting strategy. For instance, removing bird nests in early spring can help reduce bird activity, making your netting more effective.
Net Tension
Avoid stretching the netting too tightly, as this can enlarge holes and allow birds to get through. Instead, drape the netting loosely over the vines to ensure proper coverage without creating gaps that birds could exploit.
Maintenance Practices
Regular vineyard maintenance, such as spraying for pests or nutrients, should continue even after installing netting. The netting does not block spray droplets, so you can still provide the necessary care for your grapevines without interruption.
Vineyard Netting Accessories
In addition to the primary netting types, utilizing the right accessories can greatly enhance the effectiveness and convenience of vineyard netting.
Below are some commonly used vineyard netting accessories:
| Accessories List | Ideal for |
| Vineyard Wire Clips | Secure the netting to wires or trellises |
| Clips for Top Wire | Connecting two side nettings |
| Wire Rope & Polyester Wire | Maintaining netting tension and position |
| Double hook vineyard netting | Connecting two side nettings |
| Vineyard Netting WinterFix | Collecting vineyard netting in Winter |
| Netting Applicators | Netting Installation machine |
Properly installing grape vine netting is crucial for maximizing its benefits. Maintaining it effectively ensures your grapes are well protected from various threats.
Top 10 Vineyard Netting Suppliers
When considering vineyard netting for your needs, it is essential to look into reliable suppliers or retailers, such as those with industry certifications, positive customer reviews, or many years of experience.
Whether you’re seeking suppliers of vineyard netting like EyouAgro or NetPro, vineyard netting retailers such as AgriSupply, or exploring options to buy vineyard netting online through platforms like Alibaba or Amazon.
Here’s the list of the world’s Top 10 vineyard netting suppliers.
| No. | Area | Company Name | Year Established | Location (City) | Employee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | vineyard netting | Joyeyou Industry/ EyouAgro | 1996 | Shanghai, China | 120 |
| 2 | vineyard bird netting american | A and J Vineyard | 2003 | California, US | 50+ |
| 3 | vineyard bird netting american | American Nettings | 1986 | Washington,US | 10+ |
| 4 | grape vine netting nz | PolyNet | 1988 | South Island, NZ | 50+ |
| 5 | vineyard netting nz | Ritex | 1988 | Nelson, NZ | 10+ |
| 6 | vineyard netting tasmania | Drape Net | 2005 | Nashdale, AU | 100+ |
| 7 | vineyard netting victoria | Polyfab | 1995 | Dingley Village, AU | 100+ |
| 8 | vineyard bird netting za | Industrial Netting | 1969 | Sandton, ZA | 50+ |
| 9 | vineyard bird netting za | Knittex | 1964 | Capetown, ZA | 100+ |
| 10 | vineyard bird netting za | Alnet (PTY) | 1963 | Durban, ZA | 50+ |
Purchasing from reputable suppliers ensures you get durable and practical products protecting your vineyard for multiple seasons.
Look for features like UV resistance, high-quality materials such as HDPE, and reinforced stitching, which contribute to the netting’s durability and effectiveness.
Selection according to the color of the grapevine netting
The most common colors are black and white net, but green and red are also available.
The choice of netting color should take into account the growth habits of the grape plant, as well as the surrounding environment. A light-colored net should be chosen if you want the grapevine to receive more sunlight. If you want more shade, then a dark-colored net would be better.
Colored nets have an impact on the yield and quality
The color of the grapevine cloth will also affect the quality of the grapes to some extent.
The various colors of the nets have different spectral screening effects.
Using the different color netting, defined spectral bands of solar radiation are selectively screened out while transforming direct light into scattered or diffuse light. Spectral manipulation specifically promotes desired physiological responses. At the same time, the light scattering improves the penetration of the spectrally modified light into the inner plant canopy, thus increasing the efficiency of light-dependent processes.
Several traits respond to photoselective signals, including fruit set, harvest time, yield, size, color, and internal and external quality.
A study has been carried out on three colors (pearl white, red, and black) of grape nets. In addition to improving microclimate conditions, three nets reduced grape sugar and alcohol content. It was found that the red and pearl nets significantly enhanced the aroma and taste of wine compared to the black net.
Colored nets Reduce bacterial and fungal pathogens
The colors themselves also affect birds or insects. Yellow, for example, has an attractive effect on insects, while red causes them to fear and leave.
These nets have also been shown to block bacterial and fungal pathogens through anti-insect.
By preventing insects from entering the net, the possibility of insects carrying bacteria and fungi infecting the vines is reduced.
5FAQs About Grape Vine Netting
Below is a list of common questions that vineyard owners have about grape vine netting, covering topics such as durability, installation timing, and the benefits of different types of netting.
Conclusion
Grape vine netting is a valuable tool for vineyard owners. It offers essential protection against pests, birds, and adverse weather while contributing to healthier grapes and higher yields. By choosing the right type of netting, using effective accessories, and following proper installation techniques, you can optimize the health and productivity of your vineyard.
Ready to protect your vineyard with the best grapevine netting? Contact EyouAgro today for customized solutions that match your winery’s unique needs.
