Guide to Installing a Trellis System

The trellis system is used to train the vines to grow in a particular direction.  Without a trellis, grape vines would simply crawl at ground level, and it would be very difficult to maintain such a vineyard.

1. Planting is usually performed prior to the installation of the trellis system.  The trellis system can be installed when the grape vines are two to three feet in length already.

2. Large wooden posts are needed for the trellis system. Post markers are installed in every row and line posts are laid out in the vineyard.

3. To facilitate the installation of the wooden posts, hydraulic augers can be used (the same machines used to install wooden fences). Wooden posts should measure 3.5 inches by 8 feet. The depth of the initial hole should be at least two feet.


4. Since the grape vines have already matured and smaller bamboo stakes have already been used to start training the vines to grow upward, the installation of wooden posts should be done across the rows and in between the vines to avoid any damage to the plants.

5. The areas in between killed rows are generally untilled. In such cases, pilot holes should be created to make the installation of the posts less difficult.

6. You can check the depth of the hole and the length of visible post with a pre-marked measuring stick.

7. After installing the vertical posts across the rows, the H-brace should be prepared next. You still need 3.5 in. x 8 ft. wooden posts.  Drill holes into each end of the posts. The depth of each hole should be 2.5 inches. The diameter should be 3/8 of an inch.

8. To make drilling easier, mark the drill bit so you don’t exceed the average depth of 2.5 inches.  Create the same holes in the vertically-installed wooden poles.

9. Next, place 5-inch brace pins into the vertical poles. Make sure that you insert half of each brace pin. The exposed part of the brace pin will be used to attach the vertical pole to the H-brace.

10. Place the H-brace onto the vertical posts. Drill another 4.5 inches on the outer side of the vertical post and place nine-inch brace pins in the new holes.  The remaining exposed part of the pins will be used for the bracing wire later.

11. Run soft bracing wires from one post to another. Splice the bracing wires so that consistent loops are formed for each braced post.  Wires should run from the top and bottom of each post (to create a total of two loops).

12. To make the metal loops more secure, use a strong staple gun to secure the wires on the posts.

13. Once the loops are in place, the wires should be twisted tightly around each other to tighten the wire and stabilize the line.

14. After creating a complete anchor system (H-brace + tightened soft bracing wires), it’s time to install a high tensile wire on top of the anchor system. Crimping sleeves are needed to lock the high tensile wires into place (here, we are referring to the starting posts and end posts for each row).

15. A single high-tensile wire should be installed in every row. Secure the high-tensile wire with staples. To ensure the durability of the installation, use two staples each time you have to place a top wire on a post.

16. In order to sustain the position of the high-tensile wires, strainers should be placed in between each anchor system.

17. Use a gauge to measure the average tension of the top wire on each row.

18. Tie strings to connect the top wire to the bamboo support on the ground.  This will help train the vines to grow upward, toward the secure top wire.