Today, the average vineyard size hovers around 8,560 square feet or about 0.2 acres for a small backyard. However, that figure varies where you live. In the Midwest, your backyard likely runs around 9,583 square feet. On the Pacific coast, it averages 6,534 square feet.
A typical vine produces about 10 bottles of wine. So, 4,000 grapes make 10 bottles, or 400 grapes make one bottle.
Optimal Vineyard Size
An optimum vineyard size is 20 hectares, producing 130,000 bottles annually. The largest vineyard spans 5,700 acres in Europe’s smallest country, Montenegro. Upper Lodge registered the world’s smallest vineyard near Lewes.
By industry definitions, small wineries produce 5,000-50,000 cases a year. Very small wineries produce 1,000-4,999 cases a year. Limited-production wineries produce under 1,000 cases a year.
If selling wine direct to consumers, the minimum profitable vineyard size is 5 acres. For the wholesale market, 10 profitable acres are needed, with more ideal for economies of scale.
The median California vineyard is 6 hectares, similar to Adelaide Hills, Clare Valley, Eden Valley, McLaren Vale and Riverland. But the average California vineyard is 32 hectares, much higher than South Australia, showing a wider range of sizes.
Vineyard FAQs
How hard is it to start a vineyard? Vineyards require a large investment of time and money and patience in waiting for profit.
What is considered a small vineyard? Anything under 10 acres is considered small.
How do you layout a vineyard? Rows are laid out in a north-south direction so vines receive equal sun.
How many grapes grow on an acre? 10 grape clusters with 100 grapes each makes 1,000 grapes per vine. At 5 tons per acre with 400 grapes per ton gives 2,000 vines.
How much does it cost to start a vineyard? Between $560,000 and $2 million for land, labor, machinery and trellis system.
What are typical vineyard yields? For most vineyards, yields of 3-5 tons per acre are typical. Higher yields of 6+ tons require specific growing conditions.
Profits vary but a 35-acre vineyard earning $2,500 per acre profits $88,000 annually.