Photo of a row of metal trellis posts aligned in a vineyard made by Hadley

Oct, 2024

Which Trellis Post is Right for Your Vineyard?

Vineyard trellis posts are integral to the strength, longevity and durability of your trellising system. They provide the optimum angles for distributing weight and securing anchors and wires. With many different options available, how do you choose which post is right for your site?

There are two main types of vineyard post

In both processes, the steel is run through a molten zinc bath which chemically bonds to the steel.

Hot-Dipped Galvanised, (aka Post-Galvanised)

The highest quality, premium level on the market
Raw, uncoated steel is rolled into shape; tags and holes are laser-cut, and then the whole post is galvanised in zinc-aluminium
Ensures there are no exposed edges/holes
Hadley provide a 25-year guarantee - other manufacturers may vary

Pre-Galvanised, (aka Band Galvanised, Inline Galvanised or Continuous Galvanised)

The standard option
Flat sheets of steel are galvanised in zinc-aluminium, then rolled into shape; tags and holes are laser-cut
Edges/holes are not coated which can potentially lead to corrosion

Other Considerations

Budget

As with every project, forward-planning is key and being aware of the costs involved at every stage of establishing your vineyard ensures decisions can be based on knowledge and information

Soil Type / Wind Exposure / Desired Canopy Height

These factors can influence the length of post you require
Exceedingly rocky sites may require slightly shorter posts or use of a rock-spike to aid installation
Highly exposed sites may require slightly longer posts to push further into the ground and/or include anchor side plates for added protection against the wind
Your future vine training system will determine your desired canopy height which can impact your trellis post decisions

Powder-Coating Options

Many opt for natural browns and greens to sympathetically blend with the surrounding countryside
Visibility in public places / conservation areas may dictate the need for powder-coating
Powder-coating can be applied to both Hot-Dipped Galvanised and Pre-Galvanised posts, but does come at an additional cost

Spares

Minimum / multiple order quantities will likely come into play for any non-standard length or powder-coated posts
No matter how perfect your vineyard operatives, there will always be the need for the occasional replacement post

Row Breaks / Trees / Footpaths

Anything which interrupts a straight row will require additional end posts, anchors and assemblies and alter the calculation for intermediate posts
Whilst a long row may be referred to as one Row X on your vineyard map, it may need to be considered as two rows for product calculations

Installation

Whether installing by hand with a petrol post driver / sledgehammer or using a tractor-mounted rammer, ensure you use a post protector to absorb the initial impact and avoid damaging the top of each post

Access

An important consideration for every stage of your vineyard establishment
The length and weight of posts can make deliveries tricky if your site doesn’t have hard-standing, is situated down narrow roads, and/or you lack an offloader on site

Alternative Phrases

End Posts, (aka Strainer Posts, Anchor Posts or Trellis Posts)
Intermediate Posts, (aka Mid Posts, Row Posts or Trellis Posts)

A Note on Wooden Posts

Can be aesthetically pleasing for public-facing areas
Most commonly used for end posts
Typically shorter lifespan than metal posts - expect to install replacements
Extensive research is recommended into each manufacturer’s offering - consider wood type, treatments, warranties, corrosion-resistance etc

The role of your vineyard posts is to provide structure and support to your entire trellising system. All configurations should be considered before committing to your final decision - you want your trellis to last the lifetime of your vineyard, (or at least 25 years without costly replacements).