A successful vineyard starts long before the first vine is planted – with preparations beginning 18 to 24 months in advance. We recently had a conversation on the Vineyard Underground podcast with Randy Heinzen, a vine management and vineyard business expert. Randy joined us to discuss vine planting and site preparation for new vineyards or for existing growers looking to add new vineyard blocks. Randy is the owner and president of Vineyard Professional Services (VPS) in Paso Robles, CA, and is a leading global expert in vineyard management. Below are a few of the takeaways we gathered from the conversation.
Planning Timeline
Establishing a vineyard that lasts for decades begins well before planting. Ideally, the timeline before planting a site is about 18 months in advance, according to Randy. Beginning early allows growers to get vines that are at least a year old and have a better chance at successfully establishing roots.
Trellis Infrastructure
The vine infrastructure, particularly the trellis system, plays a role in supporting the vines as they grow. A key decision for vineyard managers is how much of the trellis should be in place before planting day. One option is to install the entire trellis system beforehand so it’s easier to water and train vines soon after planting. Pre-installed trellising allows for immediate vine support and can facilitate a smoother hand-planting process. Machine planting will require most of the trellis to be installed after planting, but irrigation line can temporarily be placed on the ground if needed.
Soil Sampling
Using free tools like Google Earth, historical images can reveal the previous land use, whether it was grains, crops, pasture, or trees, and how that history might affect current planting. Soil differences in terms of structure and waterlogging help determine the best areas for planting. After a site has been determined as suitable for planting grapes, extensive soil sampling should be done in each of the distinct planting blocks and soil types and visually and chemically analyzed by a professional.
Ripping and Amending
Randy says the best time to rip the land is on the border of sub-plasticity — when it’s neither too wet nor too dry. Ripping prior to the rainy season allows for the natural integration of soil amendments with winter rainfall. A first pass is often used to trench and insert compost, followed by a cross-ripping process to mix it in. This is particularly beneficial in rocky or previously uncultivated land.
Hand Planting
Randy believes that hand planting provides control and precision that is difficult to match by mechanical methods. With an efficient team, vines can be planted with care, ensuring each one is positioned correctly and has the best chance for success. Having trellis systems and irrigation in place beforehand helps ensure vines receive the support and hydration they need from the very beginning.
If you want to learn more about vine planting and site prep, check out https://www.vineyardundergroundpodcast.com/vu043.
