Robert Bell's

Wines of Canada

Since 1992

Netting The Grape Vines

The first time I came acrosss the idea of Netting (tenting) was when I was doing research on the history of Icewine in Canada. Back in the early 1980's winemakers in Ontario like Peter Gamble, Karl Kaiser, Ewald Reif of Reif Winery and Walter Strehn of Pelee set aside grapes to produce icewine.

To protect the grapes from hungry flocks of birds they covered the grape vines with netting. Today netting is more commonly use both for protection from hungry animals and early frost.

Threats ranging from bird damage to weather-related risks. They can significantly reduce yield and negatively impact grape quality, affecting the wine’s quantity and flavor profile. 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.

Grape vine netting has been used in Europe for decades.

Three Types of Netting

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.

Netting keeps everything compact to prevent damage due to strong winds.

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%.

Over Head 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.

St. Hubertus & Oak Bay Estates

Studies on the effects of different colored nets vary somewhat in terms of impact on yield and berry composition, however as a generalisation white and pearl nets either have no effect on ripening rate or advance ripening, reduce anthocyanins, titratable acidity and flavonols. Black or red nets can delay ripening, increase anthocyanins, titratable acidity and flavonols.

Vignoble Sugarhill Quebec

GintecPRO Guard Netting

GintecPRO Guard Netting is manufactured by Gintec Innovative in Ontario. "GintecPRO Guard Netting is designed to stay up all year, even at the harvest. You do not have to remove and store the netting, resulting in labour savings. Even if you decide to remove it every year, it is easily installed and removed compared to conventional bird netting." **

Syfilco Ltd. is a Canadian manufacturer of industrial knitted fabrics and netting products. They make netting designed for icewine.

Spec Trellising in the USA makes IceVine Netting which is engineered to support the heavy weight of frozen berry clusters, making it ideal for vineyards dedicated to Ice Wine production. It also serves as a robust solution for conventional wine grape protection.

In Nova Scotia, Domaine de Grand Pre is one example of a winery that uses vine netting

* eyouargro.com
** Gintec Innovations

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Wines of Canada was developed and designed by Robert (Bob) Bell of Whi make or sell wine. Support is welcome as are suggestions and comments; should you see something that nee to be corrected please let us know.