Crops
Vineyard irrigation design for wine, table and dried grapes
Wine, table and dried grapes each need something different from the irrigation, so the design starts with the grape.
Overview
Vineyard water requirements, in plain words.
Wine grapes in Sunraysia and the Riverland typically need about 7 to 9 megalitres (ML) of water per hectare a season. The exact figure depends on climate, soil, variety, canopy and management, and on how far the vines are deliberately held back. Table and dried grapes run to different targets.
Wine grapes
Water controlled closely, patch by patch, to manage vigour and fruit.
Table grapes
Large canopies on overhead trellis, so every row has to get even water.
Dried grapes
Water has to stop on time, patch by patch, so the fruit can dry on the vine.
What we do
How we help.
Drip design and hydraulics
Almost every commercial vineyard in Sunraysia and the Riverland is on drip. We set lateral lengths, dripper flow and spacing from the soil and the slope, and model the pressure along every row in IRRICAD.
- Lateral lengths and dripper spacing
- Pressure variation along the row
- Flushing and wear allowed for
- Designs for new plantings and replants
Pumps, filtration and fertigation
The headworks have to deliver peak demand to every patch at even pressure. We design and specify them on what suits the vineyard, not a brand.
- Pump station design and power use
- Filtration matched to the water source
- Fertigation system design
- Fabrication breakdown for installers
Redevelopment and replanting
Changing variety, trellis or crop changes what the system has to do. We map what is there and tell you what can be reused.
- Mapping of existing mains and valves
- Capacity checks for new flows
- Staged upgrade design and budget
- Staking of new rows and pipelines
Automation and water use reporting
Vineyards are watered patch by patch. We supply and support IRRInet and WiseConn automation, and report water use for each patch.
- IRRInet and WiseConn supply and installation
- Call out repairs and troubleshooting
- Flow meter reports by patch
- ML per hectare, week on week
What you get
What a grape grower gets from us.
- Water budget and peak demand figures
- Drip design modelled in IRRICAD
- Pump station, filtration and fertigation design
- Redevelopment plan showing what can be reused
- Staking of rows and pipelines
- Automation supplied, installed and supported
- System checks and pressure maps
- Weekly or monthly water use reports
Questions
Vineyards, answered.
How much water does a vineyard need per hectare?
Wine grapes in Sunraysia and the Riverland typically need about 7 to 9 ML per hectare a season. It depends on climate, soil, variety, canopy and management, and many growers apply less on purpose to control vigour. Table and dried grapes run to different targets, so we set the water budget for your grape and your block.
What are the best irrigation systems for vineyards?
Drip, for wine and table grapes alike. It puts water in the root zone, keeps the mid row dry and lets you control each patch closely. For dried grapes the design also has to let you stop water to each patch at the right time, so the fruit can dry on the vine. Some older vineyards still run undervine sprinklers or furrows, and we can review them or plan the change.
Can you redesign an old vineyard irrigation system?
Yes. We map the existing mains, valves and pumps, check them against the new demand, and design what needs to change. You get a staged plan and a budget, so you know what can be reused before you replant.
Do you work on vineyards in the Riverland?
Yes. The team works from Mildura across Sunraysia, the Riverland (Renmark, Berri, Loxton and Waikerie) and the Riverina. Field technicians are based in Sunraysia, and travel is quoted up front.
Related
Planning a vineyard redevelopment?
Send the property location, the grape type and what you are planning. Nick, Matt or Aaron will call you back with a scope and a price.