Growing grapes demands precision, especially when establishing the vineyard layout. The initial decision of how far apart to plant grape vines sets the framework for the vine’s health, productivity, and long-term management. Optimal vine spacing is the foundational element of a successful vineyard, ensuring each plant receives necessary resources without excessive competition. A well-designed planting layout prevents issues like canopy shading and poor air circulation, which can reduce fruit quality and increase disease pressure. Understanding the principles of vine density is the first step toward a thriving harvest.
The Two Essential Spacing Measurements
Planting a vineyard requires establishing two distinct measurements that dictate the overall vine density. The first is the distance between individual plants along the row, called in-row spacing. This determines the horizontal space each vine has to develop its permanent trunk and cordon.
The second measurement is the space between rows, known as inter-row spacing. This row distance is significant as it influences the amount of sunlight reaching the lower canopy and the fruit zone. Viticulturists typically express these measurements together, such as “eight-by-six,” meaning eight feet between rows and six feet between vines. The careful balance between these two numbers defines the vineyard’s planting density.
Factors That Determine Vine Density
The choice between tighter or wider spacing is determined by several site-specific variables. A primary consideration is the soil’s fertility and water-holding capacity, which directly affects the vine’s natural vigor. Sites with deep, rich, or irrigated soils promote vigorous growth, requiring wider spacing (typically 8 to 10 feet apart in the row) to prevent overcrowding.
Conversely, shallow, rocky soils with low nutrient levels result in lower vine vigor, which is better suited for high-density planting with closer vine spacing, such as 3 to 6 feet apart. The inherent growth habit of the chosen grape variety is another factor influencing the required space. Some cultivars, like Vitis vinifera varieties, are naturally less vigorous and tolerate tighter planting arrangements.
A site with high vigor potential demands wider spacing to allow each vine ample room for foliage and root development. If high-vigor vines are planted too closely, the resulting dense canopy will shade the fruit, increase humidity, and promote fungal diseases.
Specific Spacing Recommendations Based on Training Systems
The physical distance between vines and rows is ultimately linked to the specific trellis and training system chosen for the vineyard. The system determines the shape and height of the canopy, which dictates the necessary row spacing to avoid shading the adjacent row. A common rule of thumb is that the row spacing should not be less than the height of the canopy to ensure proper sunlight exposure.
Vertical Shoot Positioning (VSP)
VSP systems are widely used for managing medium to low-vigor sites and producing high-quality wine grapes. In this system, shoots are trained vertically and held in place by a series of catch wires above the fruiting wire. VSP allows for relatively high-density planting, with typical in-row spacing ranging from 4 to 6 feet between vines. Inter-row spacing generally falls between 8 and 10 feet, which allows for sufficient sunlight penetration and access for narrow vineyard equipment.
High Cordon and Sprawling Systems
High cordon or sprawling systems are often preferred in home gardens or for varieties with naturally downward-growing shoots. These systems are less labor-intensive than VSP because they do not require constant shoot positioning. Since the canopy is allowed to sprawl more naturally, these systems require substantially wider spacing to manage the increased foliage volume and maintain adequate airflow.
For high cordon training, typical in-row spacing is between 8 and 10 feet to support a large fruiting area. Row distance is also wider, often set at 10 to 12 feet, necessary to accommodate the broader canopy and provide pathways for larger equipment.
A key factor in commercial settings is ensuring the row spacing is wide enough for the widest piece of equipment to pass through, often adding at least three feet of clearance. For a standard VSP system, the canopy height (typically five to six feet) helps determine the minimum row width. Choosing the appropriate spacing is a long-term investment that ensures the vines remain balanced, productive, and manageable for decades.