Planting Density: A Parameter Of Fundamental Importance

The article defines low density as fewer than 3,000 vines per hectare, medium density as 3,000–6,000 and high density as more than 6,000. It reviews the French-inspired argument for dense planting—competition, restrained vegetative growth, smaller berries and deeper roots—but stresses that soil, climate, rootstock, variety, training, wine objectives and mechanisation must all inform the decision.

At Tenimenti d’Alessandro, vineyards planted at high density from the 2000s aged prematurely. Variable recent weather, intense rainfall and very high summer temperatures compounded the problem, while dense planting encouraged grapes with high sugar and alcohol potential. The estate consequently began removing affected vines and increasing inter-row spacing. Wider systems permit conventional tractors to work when over-row machinery cannot, improve land and canopy management, increase leaf aeration, reduce humidity and disease pressure, and allow lower quantities of copper and sulphur.