How much does it cost to plant 1 acre of vines?
A common question that is asked of all wineries is how much does it cost to plant an acre of grapes. The following list shows the approximate prices to put on an acre of grapes. That’s 15 rows, 90m long, 3m apart and one vine every 2m. All prices are approximate, but you get the idea. I have also included when each activity is to be done throughout the year. This example assumes that we would be planting the vines this spring, so we started working on this block last year. And this is in Australia, so for the northern hemisphere just add 6 months to the given time.
Remember, these prices are APPROXIMATE and vary greatly depending on where you are in the world.
Order and pay for vines, phylloxerra resistant grafted rootstocks .. $2,363 .. November
Soil test to determine what is missing from the soil .. $250 .. December
Spread lime, gypsum and other soil requirements…it would be rare in Australia if lime and gypsum weren’t required as we generally have very old acidic soils and vines need a neutral soil pH…$800… January
Plan and fix the layout of the vineyard, best done with the help of a surveyor .. $1,350 .. January
Tear deep into the soil for root penetration and drainage, you need a LARGE machine to do this and you need to tear at least 500mm deep..$600..February
Plant a cover crop to increase soil organic matter and nitrogen content .. $150 .. May
Convert to cover crop to incorporate organic matter .. $90 .. September
Power harrow to level area and plant permanent turf (grass in vines alleys) so dirt doesn’t blow away and you can work on vines during rainy times .. $195 .. September
Buy treated pine posts for end box assemblies, around 175mm diameter posts are required as a fully loaded trellis will exert considerable force on the end assemblies .. $2,400 .. September
Buy steel poles for each row, one is required every 6 m: the steel poles flex in the ground and the harvester can pick around them, the pine poles in the middle of the row do not bend, and the harvester ” will lose” grapes 300mm each side of pole or pole will break .. $1,260 .. September
Buy wire, 1 irrigation wire, 1 fruit wire and 4 foliage wires for each row, foliage wires can be added later but it’s easier to do all at once.. $695.. September
Buy vine guards, these work like a warm house around each vine, protecting against rabbits, wind, and chemical spray drift.. $1,013 .. September
Purchase irrigation tubing, drippers, connectors and assume we are connecting to an existing irrigation system, so pumps and filters are not included in this price… $1,200… September
Contractor to drive treated pine and steel posts into the ground .. $1,200 .. October
Contractor to build final assemblies .. $400 .. October
Lay wires and strain as needed .. $450 .. October
Install irrigation lines, drippers and connect to existing irrigation system .. $450 .. October
Spray weeds in rows of vines so that alleys remain green grass and new vines are planted on bare ground so there is no competition from weeds for nutrients and water .. $210 .. October
Plant grape vines…this is backbreaking work, each vine has to be dug up and watered as you go…$300…November
Tie the vine to the fruit wire… we want the vine to get to the fruit wire as quickly as possible so it can start producing fruit and we want nice straight trunks on the vines so they are easy to work around. $300. November
Placing vine guards ..$300 ..November Trimming rows of vines, a regular task spring through fall, required on average every two weeks ..$90 ..November
Buy and spread fertilizer…organic fertilizer to give vines a good start, apply about a ton per acre…$830…November
Weed spraying in rows of vines, a regular chore that can be helped by mulching vines, without weed spraying, young vines compete with weeds for nutrients and water.. $210 .. December
Mow rows of vines, ideally with a side mower so that the cut matter provides mulch under the vines…$90…December
Removing suckers from vines…the creeper will try to grow shoots from each bud on the trunk, we have to open the vine guard, remove these suckers and reattach the vine guard and this needs to be done regularly during the growing season .. $300 .. December
Total for the first year for one acre .. $17,495
