vineyard design, important component of vineyard planning before vineyard planting (except in traditional old world areas where spacings, variety, and rootstock may well be prescribed). In a new vineyard, normally the first step is a topographic survey, followed by a soil survey and soil mapping, today in some instances using global positioning system technology. Based on this important information, block layout and irrigation design proceeds, and finally on a block by block basis decisions are made about variety, clone, rootstock, row and vine spacing, and training system. In this way, the vineyard will optimize use of local resources and the potential of the site.
