When you’re planning a vineyard, the first question most people ask is, “How much will it cost to set up?” The answer varies with block size, soil quality and the level of infrastructure you want, but there are common cost categories that every small grower faces. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the major expenses so you can plan a realistic budget.
Vines and planting material
Most Australian vineyards are planted with grafted vines. They guard against phylloxera and let you choose rootstocks that handle drought, salinity or alkaline soils. Expect to pay around $9–$10 each for grafted vines from nurseries such as Chalmers, or about $6 for ungrafted cuttings. There are additional costs for hot water treatment and plant health certificates. Major suppliers like Yalumba Nursery also offer proprietary clones and rootstocks.
Trellis and posts
Your trellis is the backbone of the vineyard. Treated pine posts (100–125 mm diameter × 2.4 m length) cost around $18–$30 each, while steel vineyard posts like Waratah’s Gripfast range are about $18 per post. You’ll need line posts at regular spacing plus strainer assemblies at the ends. Add high‑tensile cordon wire ($20–30 per metre) and lifting wires plus clips and anchors. A hectare of vineyard can easily require $10,000–$12,000 worth of posts and wire.
Wire and fittings
Allow $1,500–2,000 per hectare for wire, clips, strainers and braces. It’s tempting to skimp here, but quality fittings make canopy management and harvesting smoother.
Soil testing and site preparation
Before you spend a dollar on vines or trellis, invest in soil testing. A standard soil package from CSBP or Eurofins APAL costs about $40–$65 per sample. Test pH, texture, salinity and nutrients at multiple points across your block. Use the results to choose rootstocks and to plan amendments. Site preparation — ripping, mulching, installing drains and removing weeds or stumps — can run $2,000–4,000 per hectare.
Irrigation
Unless you’re in a reliably wet region and planting drought‑tolerant varieties, you’ll need drip irrigation. Pressure‑compensating dripline, such as Netafim’s Uniram 16mm, costs $400–$615 for a 400m coil (around $1.00–$1.54/m). Pumps range from $545–$910 for domestic/agricultural units to $2,000 or more for industrial multistage sets. Budget $1,000‑2,000 for filtration. Total irrigation installation often ends up in the $2,000–5,000 per hectare bracket.
Machinery and tools
A basic kit of secateurs, loppers, post knockers and a backpack sprayer will cost $1,000–2,000. If your rows are spaced wide enough for machinery, you may choose a small tractor or an ATV with a spray rig. New compact tractors start around $20,000–40,000; second‑hand machines or ATVs with spray tanks can be found from $12,000–20,000. Remember to budget for safety gear if you’re spraying without a cab.
Running costs
After planting, you’ll have annual running costs. Pruning labour is often $1,500–2,500 per hectare. Sprays (sulphur, copper, organic products) run $500–1,000 per hectare. Add fuel, netting, bird control and occasional repairs and you can easily spend another $500–1,500 per hectare each year.
Ballpark figures and staging costs
Bringing it all together: a low‑input hobby block can be established for around $20,000–25,000 per hectare. A fully spec’d vineyard with quality trellis, drip irrigation and machinery typically costs $30,000–40,000 per hectare to get in the ground. Many small growers stage their investment — laying a single cordon wire in the early years and adding lifting wires later, buying second‑hand equipment and learning as they go.
Linking back and looking ahead
For a high‑level overview of vineyard planning, read our post:Starting a Small Vineyard – Costs, Setup, and First Steps.
If you want to understand how block size and vine spacing affect your budget, check outHow Much Land Do I Need for a Vineyard?
And if you’re wondering whether drip irrigation is essential on your site, seeDo I Need Irrigation for Grapevines?
A vineyard is a long‑term investment. By knowing where the money goes and thinking strategically, you can spread costs over time and set yourself up for success.
