Grapevine Trellises and Why You Need Them For Making Wine

Your final goal is making wine. But wine needs the product ingredients, and the most important of them is grapes. So you need to have grapes. The best way to have them is to grow them yourself. However, there is a problem, where do you start?

I'm sure you have already a place to grow your grapes, and you at some point you come across a problem: supporting your grapevines since the vines can't support themselves, due to the weight. You see, this is where trellis come into place and this is why they are in end effect, crucial to you having that wine to serve to your guests and boast about that 'it is home made.'

A trellis is basically a structure that supports the grapevines. You can see them in various sizes and shapes and while many people buy a decorative one, it is not so difficult to make your own. To start with you need 4 main components: line posts, end posts, support stakes and the wires.

Guidelines for a Trellising Grapevines

In order for your grapes to grow in their vine-like pattern, they will require a trellis. This is why space is never very consistent when it comes to growing grapes. You can easily grow grapes in your backyard as long as you create the proper trellis for them to grow on.

Since a grapevine cannot support itself, it will require the use of a trellis in order to grow. Depending on the person growing the grapes, the trellis may vary. You can create a very simple structural support system, or you can create a very decorative one, depending on how you plan to use it. A trellis can be made from materials such as iron, wood, stainless steel, PVC pipe, or even aluminum. You can create your own trellis or purchase a ready-made one. No matter if it is ready-made or created yourself, you will want to ensure that you leave enough room for your grapes to grow. Usually spaces that are eight feet by eight feet are recommended to grow just one grapevine.


You will need to create your trellis support prior to actually planting your grapevine. If you live in a warmer climate, then you will want a taller grapevine trellis. In colder climates you will want a shorter grapevine trellis. Short is considered to be three feet or lower in height, where as a tall grapevine trellis is considered up to eight feet tall.

Building a Garden Trellis Using Detailed Trellis Plans

One of the most popular home improvement lawn and garden projects is the process of building a garden trellis. There are a wide variety of trellis types available to choose from, so before you begin you'll have to obtain plans or blueprints for your project. Many do it yourself projects require you to have a high skill level, but being equipped with the the right plans will allow even the inexperienced do it yourself-er to get the job done.

It's a good idea to do a little research and become educated on what each style of trellis offers when it comes to both design and function. Popular garden trellis styles include the panel trellis, arch trellis, wall trellis, fence trellis, and planter trellis. Each style can significantly accent your garden in a variety of ways, and the one you choose will ultimately depend on your own specific tastes. The best part of the design process is discovering how easy it is to customize each style of trellis.

Concord Grape Trellis and Training Systems

Grapevines can be grown to conform to numerous shapes. Arbors, fences, and decorative trellises are only a few of the possibilities. Since many home gardeners may opt for less traditional training systems, a few general principles should be kept in mind, when pruning and training your grapevines. As with any fruit crops, this primary pruning should be done in the dormant season.

1. The grapevines should be trained to reasonably fill the structure but not become overgrown. This is easier said than done, since initially the vine grows fairly slowly, but as it matures, it may become a monster of vegetation. One to two layers of leaves for any area on the canopy is best for flower bud and fruit development.