Putting Nets on the Vineyard

Putting nets on the vineyard is one of those jobs that signals harvest is just around the corner. Once the grapes start ripening and sweetening up, birds see them as an all-you-can-eat buffet. That’s where the nets come in—to keep the fruit safe until it’s ready to pick.

The process itself is straight forward but can be a bit of a team effort. The easiest way is to use a net applicator attached to a tractor, as we have done here at Home Block, which rolls the netting out evenly over the rows. Once it’s in place, the nets are secured at the ends and along the sides with clips or ties to stop them from blowing away in the wind.

It’s important to check for any gaps or holes, because birds are clever and will find a way in if there’s an opening. Once the nets are on, they stay put until it’s time to harvest, when they’re carefully rolled up and stored for next season. It’s a bit of work, but it’s worth it to protect the grapes and make sure the fruit makes it to the winery in perfect condition!

P.S we are trialling using lasers for bird control at two of our vineyards. More about that later.