Water is the lifeblood of plants, but not all vineyards require irrigation. Whether you need irrigation depends on your climate, soil, rootstock and the style of wine you hope to make. This guide explains the pros and cons of dry-grown versus irrigated vineyards and how to plan water use for your block.

Dryland vs Irrigated Vines

Dry-grown vineyards:In cooler, wetter regions or on deep loam soils, vines can survive without supplementary water. Dry-grown vines often produce lower yields but more concentrated fruit, and costs are lower because there’s no irrigation system.

Irrigated vineyards:In warmer or drier parts of Australia, drip irrigation is common. It keeps vines alive during summer and allows growers to control growth and yield. Irrigation is essential for shallow or sandy soils and for younger vines establishing their root systems.</li>

Irrigation Systems

Drip irrigation:The most efficient method, delivering water directly to the root zone. Costs include driplines ($1.00–$1.54/m), pumps and filtration (from $2,000/ha for small systems).

Overhead sprinklers:Rare in modern vineyards due to water waste and disease risk.

Dry-farming:Suits only specific climates and soil depths; yields are smaller and varieties limited.

How Much Water Do Vines Need?

Water use varies by region and canopy size. Australian research shows vineyards use between 2.5 and 8 ML/ha per season. Use evapotranspiration (ET) data, soil moisture and crop factors to schedule irrigation. In hot summers with wide canopies, expect to apply several litres per vine per day. For a worked example of calculating water per vine and designing your system, seeour cost guide.

Planning Your System

Climate and soil:Rainfall and soil water holding capacity determine whether irrigation is needed. Sandy or shallow soils require more frequent watering.

Variety and rootstock:Some rootstocks (e.g., 1103 Paulsen, Ruggeri 140) tolerate drought better and are used in dry areas. Others need consistent moisture.

Infrastructure:Dripline layout, pump capacity, filtration, fertigation and frost protection (where applicable) must be designed as a system.

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Irrigation isn’t a one-size-fits-all question. In cool, high-rainfall regions, you might be able to dry-farm. In warmer, lower-rainfall areas, drip irrigation is essential for vine survival and consistent yield. Assess your climate, soil, variety and goals before deciding.

Further reading

If you’re still deciding whether to plant a vineyard or how to design it, read our guides tovineyard establishment costsandplanting on a slope, and return to our main post onstarting a small vineyardfor more planning tips.